Château Fontenil
Updated on
Overview of Château Fontenil, owned by Dany and Michel Rolland in Saillans (Fronsac). The estate produces red wines under the AOC Fronsac appellation, sourced from a vineyard planted on clay-limestone soils and aged in barrels.
Identity
Château Fontenil is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Saillans, in the Gironde department. The property is owned by Dany and Michel Rolland. Michel Rolland, an oenologist graduated from the Bordeaux Faculty of Oenology, also serves as the château's winemaker.
History and philosophy
Château Fontenil was acquired by Dany and Michel Rolland in 1986. The estate's facilities underwent an extensive renovation programme that was completed in 1999. Viticultural practices combine traditional methods with a sustainable, reasoned approach to vineyard treatments.
The appellations
The wines of Château Fontenil are produced under the Fronsac Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée.
Practical information
Château Fontenil is located at Cardeneau Nord, 33141 Saillans.
For enquiries, contact the estate by phone on +33 (0)5 57 51 52 43 or by email at contact@rollandcollection.com.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Who owns Château Fontenil?
- Château Fontenil is owned by Dany and Michel Rolland. Michel Rolland is also the estate's oenologist and winemaker, having earned his degree in oenology from the Bordeaux Faculty of Oenology. They acquired the property in 1986 and completed a full renovation of the facilities in 1999.
- What are the main grape varieties and terroir at Château Fontenil?
- Château Fontenil is predominantly planted with Merlot. The vineyard is established on cool clay-limestone soils on a south-facing hillside overlooking the Isle river, a tributary of the Dordogne near Libourne. Viticultural management combines traditional methods with a sustainable, reasoned approach to vineyard treatments.
- What are the characteristics of the red wines produced at Château Fontenil?
- The red wines of Château Fontenil, produced under the Fronsac appellation, are distinguished by aromas of dark fruits, violet, and delicate spices. Their structure features vibrant tannins resulting from gentle extractions during vinification. These wines are crafted to offer considerable ageing potential.
- How are vinification and ageing carried out at Château Fontenil?
- Vinification takes place in small stainless-steel and wooden vats. The hand-picked crop, brought in using small crates, is meticulously sorted on a double sorting table. Fermentation—including malolactic fermentation—and ageing both take place in the barrel cellar, with approximately 60% of the oak barrels renewed each year.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Fontenil vineyard is planted on cool clay-limestone soils. The plots, largely south-facing on a hillside, overlook the Isle river—a tributary of the Dordogne—close to the town of Libourne. Yield control is a constant priority, from winter pruning right through to green harvesting. The harvest is carried out entirely by hand, plot by plot, with grapes transported in small crates.
Flagship cuvées
Château Fontenil produces red wines. These typically express notes of dark fruits, violet, and delicate spices. The wine's structure is characterised by vibrant, lively tannins, achieved through gentle extraction during vinification. These wines are crafted with substantial ageing potential.
Vinification and ageing
Vinification takes place in small-capacity stainless-steel and wooden vats. The harvest is rigorously selected using a double sorting table. Fermentations take place in the barrel cellar, where malolactic fermentation also occurs. The wines are aged in oak barrels, with around 60% of the barrels renewed each year.
- Appellation
- Fronsac
- Commune
- Saillans
- Wine region
- Libournais
- Classification
- Fronsac
- Owner
- Dany et Michel Rolland
- Technical direction
- Michel Rolland
- Grape varieties
- Merlot
Practical information
- Address
- 101 rue du retour d’Est, 05460 RISTOLAS
- Phone
- 04 92 46 71 36
- contact@fontenil.fr
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Opening hours
- 8h30 à 19h
- Visits
- Un membre de l’équipe peut accueillir jusqu’à 23h. En cas d’absence, laisser un message ou envoyer un mail. En cas d’arrivée tardive, en informer l'établissement.