Château Doyac

Identity

Château Doyac is a winegrowing estate located in Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, in Gironde. It has been owned by the Pourtalès family since 1998, with Max de Pourtalès as proprietor. Clémence de Pourtalès also manages the estate and acts as consulting oenologist.

History and philosophy

The Pourtalès family acquired Château Doyac in 1998. The estate is committed to environmentally friendly farming practices. Organic viticulture has been practiced since 2016, and the estate has been certified biodynamic by Demeter since 2019 and by Biodyvin since 2022. Soil tillage is an established vineyard practice. Kunekune pigs are used for weeding, decompacting the soil and consuming fallen leaves. In 2022, the estate received the Grand Prix d'Or at the Trophées Bordeaux Vignoble Engagé in the "Nature et Respect" category. Projects such as the installation of a second 700 m² solar building and a 400-metre-long flower meadow strip have also been introduced.

Appellations

Château Doyac produces wines under the Haut-Médoc appellation, as well as the Bordeaux appellation for its white wine. It is also classified as Cru Bourgeois Supérieur.

Practical information

The estate offers cellar-door sales and mail-order purchasing. Visits and tastings are available by appointment. Holiday cottage accommodation (gîte) is also available on site.

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The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Doyac vineyard covers a total planted area of 24 hectares. The soils are clay-limestone, resting on a limestone bedrock. The average age of the vines is 20 years. The estate does not purchase grapes from outside growers. The area planted with red grape varieties covers 21.5 hectares, while white grape varieties account for 2.5 hectares. The red grape varieties include Merlot (59%), Cabernet Franc (34%), Cabernet-Sauvignon (4%) and Pinot noir (3%). The white grape varieties are Sauvignon blanc (66%) and Chardonnay (34%). The estate also features 40 hectares of meadows, ponds and woodlands. Nicolas Jamin serves as biodynamic consultant, and Eric Boissenot's team provides expertise for vineyard management and vinification. Clémence de Pourtalès is the estate's oenologist, with Marco Balsimelli also contributing as consulting oenologist.

Flagship cuvées

The estate produces a principal red wine under the Haut-Médoc appellation. The blend for the 2022 vintage was 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Château Doyac also produces a white wine, Le Pélican, under the Bordeaux appellation. The first vintage of Le Pélican was 2019, crafted from 100% Sauvignon. Single-varietal cuvées of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are planned for the 2023 vintage, along with a 100% Syrah cuvée.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification at Château Doyac is natural, carried out without additives and with indigenous yeasts. Ageing lasts 12 months and takes place in barrels, amphorae and foudres. For the Le Pélican cuvée, the wine is fermented and aged in 500-litre barrels, foudres and sandstone jars.