Château des Fougères
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Château des Fougères, located in La Brède, is a historic winegrowing estate linked to Montesquieu. Acquired in 2010 by Dominique Coutière, it produces HVE-certified red wines in the Graves AOC from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grape varieties.
Identity
Château des Fougères is a winegrowing estate located in La Brède, in the Gironde department. It is owned by Dominique Coutière, who acquired it in 2010. Louis-Victor Brossard serves as cellar master and oenologist, while Alain Lemaire manages the estate.
History and philosophy
The history of Château des Fougères is closely intertwined with that of the Montesquieu family. The estate is documented as early as 1703 as a fief held by Jacques de Secondat de Montesquieu, father of the renowned philosopher. In 1867, Baron Gaston de Montesquieu purchased the property, named it Fougères, and planted its first vines.
Wine production was first recorded in 1874, with a declared output of 40 tonneaux of red wine and 20 tonneaux of white wine. Subsequently, production evolved under the successive stewardship of Henri de Montesquieu (from 1908) and Baroness de Montesquieu Marie Kappelhof-Lançon (in 1949). In 1986, Baron Henry de Montesquieu, Gaston's great-grandson, took over the winegrowing operation.
In 2010, the estate was sold to Dominique Coutière, who set out to enhance the quality of its red Graves wines. The estate is committed to environmentally friendly practices with Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification.
Appellations
Château des Fougères primarily produces wines under the Graves appellation, notably AOC Graves Rouge. The estate also crafts wines under the Bordeaux appellation.
Practical information
Château des Fougères is located at the following address: Château des Fougères, 33650 La Brède. For further information, the estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)5 58 51 08 68 or by email at contact@chateaudesfougeres.fr. Visits are available by appointment for trade professionals only. The estate does not offer cellar-door sales but provides mail-order services.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Château des Fougères located and who currently owns it?
- Château des Fougères is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of La Brède, in the Gironde department. Since 2010, it has been owned by Dominique Coutière, widely known as the founder of Biolandes. The estate is managed by Alain Lemaire, with Louis-Victor Brossard serving as cellar master and oenologist, bringing his expertise to the estate's winemaking.
- Which grape varieties are grown at Château des Fougères and on what type of soil?
- Château des Fougères grows both red and white grape varieties. For the red wines, the plantings consist of Merlot (57%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (43%). For the white wines, only Sauvignon blanc (100%) is used. The vines flourish on the characteristic clay-limestone terroir of the Graves, featuring gravelly topsoils over predominantly clay subsoils, which contribute to the typicity of the wines produced.
- Under which appellations are the wines of Château des Fougères sold?
- Château des Fougères primarily produces its wines under the Graves appellation, with a prominent focus on AOC Graves Rouge. In addition, the estate crafts wines that are marketed under the generic Bordeaux appellation. These appellations ensure geographical origin and adherence to the regional production standards.
- What is the history of Château des Fougères and what is its environmental approach?
- The history of Château des Fougères is deeply rooted in that of the Montesquieu family, with early records dating back to 1703. The estate was officially named "Fougères" and had its first vines planted in 1867 by Baron Gaston de Montesquieu. Today, under the ownership of Dominique Coutière since 2010, the estate is committed to Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification, underscoring its dedication to sustainable and environmentally responsible viticultural practices.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château des Fougères vineyard covers 13 hectares. The vines are planted on gravelly soils over a clay, sand, and limestone subsoil. Some sources also mention siliceous-gravel soils with a low proportion of iron pan (alios), overlying predominantly clay subsoils. The average vine age is 26 years, with a planting density of 6,600 vines per hectare.
The red grape varieties comprise Cabernet Sauvignon (43%, 53%, or 55%) and Merlot (57%, 47%, or 45%). The estate also produces white wine from Sauvignon blanc (100%).
Flagship cuvées
Château des Fougères offers two red wine cuvées:
CHÂTEAU DES FOUGÈRES Clos Montesquieu
This flagship cuvée is made from Cabernet Sauvignon (around 70% to 75%) and Merlot (30% to 25%). The wine is aged in oak barrels for 14 to 18 months, with 30% new oak. It boasts an ageing potential of up to 15 years. Serving at 16°C after approximately 60 minutes of decanting is recommended.
LA RAISON Clos Montesquieu
This second wine is predominantly composed of Merlot (70%), complemented by around 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is aged in vats for 14 to 16 months.
Vinification and ageing
Harvesting is carried out both by hand and by machine. Maceration generally lasts between 25 and 30 days. Ageing for the red wines varies by cuvée: CHÂTEAU DES FOUGÈRES Clos Montesquieu is aged in oak barrels for 14 to 18 months (with at least 30% new oak), while LA RAISON Clos Montesquieu is aged in vats for 14 to 16 months.
- Commune
- La Brède
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Owner
- Dominique Coutière, fondateur de Biolandes
- Technical direction
- Louis-Victor Brossard
- Surface area
- 13 ha
- Second wine
- LA RAISON Clos Montesquieu
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 57%, Cabernet Sauvignon 43%, Sauvignon blanc 100%
Estate news
16 October 2024
Gironde : que proposent les châteaux viticoles pour les portes ouvertes des Graves ce week-end ?
Soixante-six châteaux de l'appellation Graves ouvriront leurs portes ce week-end des 19 et 20 octobre pour accueillir les visiteurs. Cette initiative vise à présenter le métier de vigneron, notamment juste après les vendanges, un moment clé pour les vignerons. Clémence Harsch, directrice du syndicat viticole des Graves depuis janvier 2024, souligne la résilience et l'optimisme des viticulteurs, précisant que l'appellation n'est pas concernée par l'arrachage de vignes malgré la crise viticole générale. Les châteaux participants, répartis sur l'ensemble du territoire des Graves, de la Brède à Saint-Pierre-de-Mons, proposeront diverses animations. Parmi elles, des offres de restauration, des marchés gourmands, et des dégustations gratuites d'huîtres sont prévues au château Piron à Saint-Morillon. Les amateurs d'œnologie pourront s'initier à l'assemblage au château Auney l’Hermitage à La Brède, tandis que le château d’Archambeau à Illats organisera un atelier accords vins et chocolat. Des activités pour enfants seront également proposées, telles que balades en calèche, accrobranche et escape game. Le château Jouvente d’Illats accueillera une prestation de danseurs du ballet de Bordeaux. Certains châteaux, comme le château des Fougères, ancienne propriété de Montesquieu à La Brède, n'ouvrent leurs portes au public que lors de cet événement annuel. Le programme complet et les informations pratiques sont disponibles sur le site www.vinsdegraves.com.
Read the source — sudouest.frPractical information
- Address
- Château des Fougères 33650 La Brède, 33650
- Phone
- 05.58.51.08.68
- contact@medicys.fr
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous uniquement aux professionnels