Château de Rouillac
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Château de Rouillac, owned by Laurent Cisneros in Canéjan, spans 36 hectares in Pessac-Léognan. Certified HVE, the estate is renowned for its red and white wines as well as its wine tourism experiences.
Identity
Château de Rouillac is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Canéjan. The property is managed by Laurent Cisneros, who has owned the estate since 2010. Sophie Burguet serves as cellar master, alongside Jean-Christophe Barron as technical director. Éric Boissenot acts as consultant oenologist.
History and philosophy
Château de Rouillac, whose chartreuse was built in 1864 by Baron Haussmann, was acquired by Laurent Cisneros in 2010. The estate follows an environmentally friendly approach, formalised by Haute Valeur Environnementale certification achieved in 2013.
Appellations
The estate produces wines under the Pessac-Léognan and Graves appellations.
Winemaking and ageing
Vinification is carried out gently, guided at every stage by the tasting of berries, musts, and wines. The cellar is equipped with temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats housed within an insulated building. Maceration generally lasts between 22 and 25 days depending on the vintage. Ageing for Château de Rouillac red wines takes place in French oak barrels (one-third new barrels and two-thirds once-used barrels), combined with regular bâtonnage. Ageing is conducted exclusively in French oak barrels sourced notably from the Bertrange, Jupilles, and Allier forests, in partnership with Bordeaux cooperages selecting wood seasoned for a minimum of 36 months.
Practical information
Château de Rouillac is located at 12, chemin du 20-Août-1949, 33610 Canéjan. The estate can be contacted by telephone on 05 57 12 84 63 and by email at info@chateauderouillac.com. Cellar-door and mail-order sales are available. The tasting shop is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The estate is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Tours and tastings are available by appointment, with departures Monday to Friday at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 2:30 pm, and on Saturday at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, and 2:30 pm (last departure at 2:30 pm until 6 September). Tour and tasting durations range from 1 to 2 hours. Various themed tours are available, including discovery visits, gourmet pairings (cheese, chocolate), historical tours focusing on Baron Haussmann, introductory tastings, and vertical vintage experiences. The standard adult tour rate starts from €20. Tours are available in French and English. The estate provides wheelchair access. Visitors can also view the sport horses in the on-site stables. Château de Rouillac offers various wine tourism facilities, including horse coaching, a gift boutique, and corporate seminar hosting. The estate does not offer accommodation or catering on-site.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- What appellations are produced by Château de Rouillac?
- Château de Rouillac produces wines under multiple appellations, with a primary focus on Pessac-Léognan. The estate also offers wines under the Graves appellation. While the property is located in the wider Bordeaux region, its main wines carry these specific appellation labels.
- What is the grape variety breakdown at Château de Rouillac for red and white wines?
- For its red wines, the grape blend at Château de Rouillac consists of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. For the white wines, the blend features 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon, and 10% Sauvignon gris. This variety allows the estate to produce wines that showcase the full expression of its terroirs.
- How does Château de Rouillac age its red wines?
- Red wines at Château de Rouillac are aged in French oak barrels, using a ratio of one-third new oak and two-thirds once-used barrels, supported by regular bâtonnage. The oak is sourced from the Bertrange, Jupilles, and Allier forests, in partnership with Bordeaux coopers ensuring a minimum 36-month wood seasoning period.
- What environmental certifications does Château de Rouillac hold?
- Château de Rouillac is committed to sustainable viticulture, which culminated in obtaining Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification in 2013. This certification highlights the estate's dedication to eco-friendly practices, including horse-drawn ploughing across a third of the vineyard and the total discontinuation of chemical herbicides.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard covers a total area of 36 hectares, with an average vine age of around 30 years. The terroir benefits from a distinct geographical location on the edge of the Landes forest and a temperate climate influenced by the proximity of the Garonne and the ocean, providing mild conditions and consistent humidity well-suited to the vines. The grape variety breakdown for the red wines comprises 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. For the white wines, it includes 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon, and 10% Sauvignon gris. Vineyard management practices include horse ploughing across a third of the vineyard and the complete elimination of herbicides. Harvesting is carried out both by hand and mechanically.
Signature cuvées
Château de Rouillac produces several cuvées. Notable among them are Château de Rouillac Rouge and Château de Rouillac Blanc. The estate also crafts second wines such as Le Dada de Rouillac Rouge and Le Dada de Rouillac Blanc, alongside Le Baron de Rouillac Rouge and Le Baron de Rouillac Blanc, and finally L’Orangerie de Rouillac Rouge and L’Orangerie de Rouillac Blanc.
- Appellations
- Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Margaux
- Commune
- Canéjan
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Owner
- Laurent Cisneros
- Technical direction
- Sophie Burguet
- Surface area
- 36 ha
- Second wine
- Le Dada de Rouillac
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon 55%, Merlot 45%, Sauvignon Blanc 70%, Sémillon 20%, Sauvignon gris 10%
Practical information
- Address
- 12 Chemin du 20 août 1949, 33610 CANEJAN
- Phone
- 05 57 12 84 63
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- Du lundi au vendredi de 9h00 à 18h00 ; et le samedi de 10h00 à 18h00
- Visits
- Visites-dégustations personnalisées, possibilité de découvrir les chevaux de sports dans les écuries, salle de dégustation à l'architecture contemporaine.