Château de la Mette
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Château de la Mette, owned by the Solorzano family in Portets, spans 82 hectares and produces wines in the Graves and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations. The winegrowing estate is certified HVE3.
Identity
Château de la Mette is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Portets, in Gironde. It is owned by the Solorzano family, operating under the legal entity SARL les Domaines de la Mette, managed by Jean-Baptiste Solorzano.
History and philosophy
The history of the estate predates the arrival of the Solorzano family. Notable former owners who left their mark on the property include Comte de Ravez, as well as the Durst Wild, Saint Cizy Castan, and De La Mette families. Originally from Spain (Rioja), the Solorzano family acquired the estate in 1962. Château Millet, one of the estate's properties, was rebuilt in 1878. The Solorzano family maintains an environmentally conscious approach, as demonstrated by their HVE3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3) certification.
Appellations
The estate produces wines under the Graves and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations.
Practical information
Château de la Mette is located at 17, route de Mathas, 33640 Portets, France. The estate can be contacted by telephone at 05 56 67 41 06 or +33 5 56 67 18 18, and by email at domainesdelamette33@wanadoo.fr or domainesdelamette@wanadoo.fr. Estate visits (château grounds, vineyards, and cellar) and wine tastings are available by appointment from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cellar-door sales are also available.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Château de la Mette located and under what legal structure does it operate?
- Château de la Mette is situated in the commune of Portets, in Gironde. It is managed by SARL les Domaines de la Mette, headed by Jean-Baptiste Solorzano. The Solorzano family, of Spanish origin, acquired the estate in 1962, following a long line of previous owners including Comte de Ravez and the Durst Wild, Saint Cizy Castan, and De La Mette families.
- Which appellations are produced at Château de la Mette?
- Château de la Mette produces wines under two main appellations. The primary appellation is Graves, accounting for 62 hectares of the vineyard. In addition, 20 hectares are farmed for the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation. This allows the estate to offer a diverse range of wines reflecting the unique character of these two Bordeaux terroirs, defined by gravelly soils over clay-limestone subsoils.
- What is the vineyard makeup and the estate's environmental commitment?
- The vineyard of Château de la Mette extends across 82 hectares. The red Graves plantings consist predominantly of Merlot (50%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (48%), complemented by Petit Verdot (1%) and Carménère (1%). The estate is certified HVE3 (Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3). In line with these standards, Château de la Mette implements viticultural practices such as alternate row tilling, vineyard cover cropping, and operates an on-site treatment system for winery effluent.
- What are the different cuvées produced by Château de la Mette?
- Château de la Mette produces a portfolio of cuvées across its appellations. In the Graves appellation, the range includes Château Millet, Château Prieuré-Les-Tours, Château Martin, and Château Claron, available in both red and white. Under the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation, the estate offers Château Clos Renon and Château Clos de l’Abbaye, both exclusively red. Each cuvée expresses distinct aromatic and flavour profiles, reflecting the diversity of the estate's terroirs and grape varieties.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château de la Mette vineyard spans a total area of 82 hectares. A large proportion, comprising 62 hectares, is dedicated to the Graves appellation, while 20 hectares are cultivated for the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation. The soils are typical of the Graves terroir, with clay-limestone subsoils. The vines range in age from 15 to 30 years. The estate employs viticultural practices such as alternate row tilling, cover cropping between the rows, and operates an effluent treatment plant for winery wastewater as part of its HVE3 framework. The grape varieties for the red Graves consist of 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Carménère.
Key cuvées
Château de la Mette offers several cuvées. In the Graves appellation, the cuvées include Château Millet, Château Prieuré-Les-Tours, Château Martin, and Château Claron, available in red and white. For the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation, the cuvées are Château Clos Renon and Château Clos de l’Abbaye, both produced as red wines.
The red Château Prieuré-Les-Tours, particularly the 2009 vintage, is described as characterful, showing a ruby-purple hue, aromas of red fruit, violet, and smoky notes. It reveals fine balance and an oak-driven structure, layered with red berry fruit and spice.
The dry white Château Millet Graves Blanc is distinguished by its pale gold colour with yellow and green glints. Its aromatic profile features herbal notes, citrus, exotic fruits, minerality, and an oaky roundness, delivering a fresh balance and an elegant, fragrant character.
Château Clos Renon Bordeaux Supérieur displays a dark ruby colour. On the nose, it reveals red fruit, floral, vanilla, and spicy notes. On the palate, it is concentrated and complex, with well-integrated yet supple tannins, good balance, and fine freshness.
Vinification and ageing
Specific details regarding the vinification and ageing of the various cuvées are not disclosed, beyond what the wines' characteristics suggest about the winemaking practices.
- Appellations
- Graves, Bordeaux Supérieur
- Commune
- Portets
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Owner
- SARL les Domaines de la METTE (constituée par Jean-Baptiste SOLORZANO)
- Surface area
- 82 ha
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 48%, Petit Verdot 1%, Carménère 1%
Practical information
- Address
- 17 rte Mathas, 33640 Portets
- Phone
- 05 56 67 41 06
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- visite des extérieurs du château, des vignes et de la cave à vins sur rendez-vous