Château Fontbonne
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Château Fontbonne, a family-owned winegrowing estate since 1939 in Faleyras, covers 30 hectares in the Bordeaux appellation. Managed by Marie Renier, the estate practises sustainable viticulture and mechanical weeding, producing red, white, and rosé wines.
Identity
Château Fontbonne is a winegrowing estate located in Faleyras, in Gironde. Owned by the Renier family, it is run by owner Philippe Renier alongside Marie Renier, who represents the fourth generation managing the property.
History and Philosophy
The story of Château Fontbonne began in 1939, marking the start of the family's dedication to viticulture. Over the generations, the estate has cultivated an approach rooted in respect for the terroir. Vineyard management remains traditional, relying on sustainable practices. Mechanical weeding has been carried out for more than ten years, entirely replacing chemical weedkillers. Bordered by woodland, the estate also enjoys an environment rich in biodiversity.
Appellations
Château Fontbonne produces wines under the Bordeaux appellation.
Practical Information
Address: 2 Rte de Targon, 33760 Faleyras
Telephone: 05 56 23 49 36
Email: contact@chateau-fontbonne.fr
Find Out More
Frequently asked questions
- Who are the current owners of Château Fontbonne and what is their history?
- Château Fontbonne is owned by the Renier family. Philippe Renier is the owner and Marie Renier manages the estate, representing the fourth generation leading this winegrowing property. The family's viticultural journey began in 1939, shaping the estate's philosophy centred on respect for the terroir and traditional vineyard practices.
- What is the vineyard's surface area and what are the characteristics of its terroir?
- The Château Fontbonne vineyard covers 30 hectares, spread across several parcel clusters in the communes of Faleyras, Blésignac, Ruch, and Blasimon. The terroir consists predominantly of clay-limestone and clay-loam soils. In Faleyras and Blésignac, clay-limestone soils feature shallow limestone bedrock. Blasimon has white chalky topsoils over clay-loam subsoils, while Ruch features shallow bedrock that creates warmer soils.
- Which grape varieties are grown at Château Fontbonne and what styles of wine are produced?
- Château Fontbonne grows several grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, and Sémillon. Distributed according to parcel characteristics, they enable the estate to craft a versatile range of wines. Château Fontbonne produces red, white, and rosé wines, all under the Bordeaux appellation.
- What viticultural practices are implemented at Château Fontbonne?
- At Château Fontbonne, vine growing is traditional and follows a sustainable approach. The estate introduced mechanical weeding over a decade ago, eliminating chemical herbicides. The vineyard also benefits from a rich biodiversity thanks to the surrounding woodland, which helps maintain a balanced natural ecosystem.
The Vineyard (Terroir)
The Château Fontbonne vineyard extends over 30 hectares, divided into several parcel clusters across the communes of Faleyras, Blésignac, Ruch, and Blasimon. The soils are predominantly clay-limestone and clay-loam. In Faleyras and Blésignac, clay-limestone soils feature areas where limestone bedrock lies close to the surface. In Blasimon, white chalky topsoils cover deeper clay-loam subsoils. In Ruch, bedrock near the surface creates warmer soils.
The grape varieties vary depending on the parcels:
- In Faleyras: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for red wines, and Sauvignon blanc for whites.
- In Blésignac: Sémillon.
- In Ruch: Merlot.
- In Blasimon: Merlot and Sauvignon blanc.
Flagship Cuvées
Château Fontbonne offers a versatile range of cuvées, including red, white, and rosé wines.
- Cuvée Marie is a premium red cuvée crafted from a selection of old Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Designed as a wine for ageing and gastronomic pairings, it offers roundness, ripe red fruit notes, structure, complexity, and finesse, typical of the Bordeaux style with oak ageing.
- The red cuvée Our Hands by Fontbonne, launched in 2022, is supple and round, created to suit contemporary drinking habits.
- Château Fontbonne Rosé strikes a balance between fruitiness, freshness, and palate weight, perfect for relaxed gatherings.
- Château Fontbonne Blanc displays expressive aromas of crisp citrus and delicate floral notes, especially acacia, delivering a harmonious tasting experience.
- Tendrement Fontbonne is a single-varietal red wine produced exclusively from Merlot.
- Other cuvées complete the range: Classique, Cuvée Édouard, and Our Hands Rosé.
- Appellation
- Bordeaux
- Commune
- Faleyras
- Wine region
- Bordeaux & Bordeaux Supérieur
- Owner
- Philippe RENIER
- Technical direction
- Marie Renier
- Surface area
- 30 ha
- Grape varieties
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon
Practical information
- Address
- 2 Rte de Targon, 33760 Faleyras
- Phone
- 05 56 23 49 36
- Contact form
- Contact the estate