Château de Roquetaillade la Grange

Identity

Château de Roquetaillade la Grange is located in the commune of Langon, in the Gironde. It is owned by the brothers Bruno, Dominique, and Pascal Guignard.

History and Philosophy

The site of Château de Roquetaillade has been inhabited since prehistoric times. An initial wooden fortress was reportedly built by Charlemagne at the end of the 8th century. The de la Mothe family is recorded as far back as the 11th century. In 1306, a new castle was erected by Gaillard de la Mothe, supported by his uncle Pope Clement V and with the authorisation of King Edward I. The castle underwent alterations during the Renaissance, notably the replacement of arrow slits with windows and the conversion of guard rooms into living quarters.

Comprising two castles and a chapel, the site was classified as a Monument Historique in 1840 and has been open to the public since 1956. In the early 1960s, the Guignard family acquired the vineyard. Also during the 1960s, the vineyard and the fortress were separated. Since 1996, the Guignard brothers have been at the helm of the winegrowing estate, continuing a family history that, for the fortress itself, spans more than 700 years.

The estate holds HVE 4 and ISO 14001 certifications. It also serves as a sanctuary for threatened bird species. Château de Roquetaillade la Grange is an active family estate that, alongside wine production, is engaged in breeding Bazas beef cattle.

Appellations

Château de Roquetaillade la Grange produces red and white wines under the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Graves.

Practical Information

Château de Roquetaillade la Grange is located in Mazères, 33210 Langon. You can reach the estate by phone at +33 (0)5 56 76 14 23 or by email at contact@roquetaillade.com. Guided tours for individual visitors take place daily at 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm, without reservation. The park is open from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Group tours (from 20 people) are available daily by appointment. Dogs are not permitted in the park or inside the castle.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The Château de Roquetaillade la Grange vineyard spans a total surface area of 38 hectares. The soils are composed of gravel and clay. The vineyard’s elevation ranges from 70 to 113 metres.

The grape varieties for the red wines are 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The average age of the red vines is 25 years, with a planting density of 5,500 vines/hectare.

For the white wines, the blend consists of 60% Sémillon, 20% Sauvignon, and 20% Muscadelle. The average age of the white vines is 20 years. Harvesting is carried out both mechanically and by hand.

Flagship Cuvées

The estate produces red wines crafted from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. These wines are typically marked by their structure and ageing potential, revealing fruity and occasionally spicy notes.

The white wines, made from Sémillon, Sauvignon, and Muscadelle, generally offer a fresh and expressive aromatic profile, with vibrant acidity and delicate floral or citrus nuances.

Vinification and Ageing

For the red wines, vatting usually lasts between 3 and 4 weeks. Ageing takes place in oak barrels for a period of 14 to 18 months. The white wines are aged on fine lees in concrete vats.