Château Fontesteau
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Château Fontesteau, a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur in Haut-Médoc, farms 20 ha of organic and HVE-certified vineyards. Dedicated to biodiversity, the winegrowing estate produces red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged in oak barrels.
Identity
Château Fontesteau is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Saint-Sauveur, in the Gironde department. The property has been owned by Sabine Immelnkemper since 2017. It is also a member of the Vignerons Indépendants.
History and philosophy
Château Fontesteau traces its origins back to Gallo-Roman times, with a castle whose construction dates back to 1277. The current main dwelling dates from the 16th century. The estate first gained recognition in the Guide Feret in 1874. It was listed in the Palmarès in 1932 and was awarded the Cru Grand Bourgeois classification in 1966 and 1978. Joachim Immelnkemper acquired the property in 1995, and restoration work began in 1997. In 2017, the estate passed into the hands of Sabine Immelnkemper. The château is now classified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur.
The estate is committed to an environmental approach, having joined the Environmental Management System for Bordeaux wine in 2017. It is certified by Ecocert (FR-BIO-01) for organic wine production and holds Haute Valeur Environnementale certification.
The appellations
Château Fontesteau produces wines under the Haut-Médoc appellation.
Practical information
Château Fontesteau is located at Lieu Dit Fontesteau, 33250 Saint-Sauveur. They can be contacted on +33 (0)5 56 59 52 76. Tours are free from Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. At weekends, visits are by appointment. The château also offers private venue hire.
Find out more
Official estate websiteFrequently asked questions
- Where is Château Fontesteau located?
- Château Fontesteau is located in the Gironde department, in the commune of Saint-Sauveur. It belongs to the Haut-Médoc main appellation, renowned for its wines of character. The estate is surrounded by unspoilt nature, including a forest of oaks, pines, and black locust trees, as well as a pond, contributing to local biodiversity.
- Who is the current owner of Château Fontesteau?
- Sabine Immelnkemper has been the owner of Château Fontesteau since 2017. She took over the management of the estate, which was acquired by Joachim Immelnkemper in 1995. Sabine Immelnkemper is also a member of the Vignerons Indépendants, reflecting her commitment to crafting quality wines that respect their terroir.
- What environmental certifications does the estate hold?
- Château Fontesteau is committed to strong environmental practices, as demonstrated by its certifications. The estate is certified organic by Ecocert (FR-BIO-01) and also holds the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification. These accreditations highlight environmentally friendly viticultural methods, including the use of natural compost and the promotion of microbial soil life.
- Which grape varieties are grown, and what is the average age of the vines?
- The Château Fontesteau vineyard covers 20 hectares, planted predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon (53%) and Merlot (47%). The average age of the vines is around 30 years, yielding grapes with great aromatic concentration. The terroir encourages deep rooting, enabling the vines to draw essential resources even during dry spells.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Fontesteau vineyard spans 20 hectares within a total estate of 100 hectares. The average age of the vines is 30 years. The vineyard is surrounded by a forest of oaks, pines, and black locust trees, along with a pond, thereby fostering biodiversity. Viticultural practices include the use of natural compost, planting country hedges, and enhancing microbial soil life. The grape varieties are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The soils allow the vines to draw water deep underground.
Flagship cuvées
The estate offers several red wine cuvées. Château Fontesteau, classified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, features vintages such as the 2022 blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, or the 2019 with 49% Cabernet Sauvignon and 51% Merlot. Messire de Fontesteau, also from Haut-Médoc, is another estate wine. The 2019 vintage is crafted from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc. Finally, the Variation de Fontesteau cuvée, in the Haut-Médoc appellation, includes a 2015 vintage composed of 57% Merlot Noir and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vinification and ageing
For Château Fontesteau, the wine ageing is traditionally carried out partly in French oak barrels and partly in stainless steel vats. For instance, the 2022 vintage was aged for 12 months in 100% French oak barriques and stainless steel vats. For other vintages like 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016, ageing took place in 75% French oak barrels and 25% stainless steel vats. For the Messire de Fontesteau 2019 cuvée, ageing was conducted in French oak barrels for 6 months. The Variation de Fontesteau 2015 cuvée benefited from 18 months of ageing in medium-toast new oak barrels.
- Appellations
- Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux
- Commune
- Saint-Sauveur
- Wine region
- Médoc
- Owner
- Sabine Immelnkemper (depuis 2017)
- Surface area
- 20 ha
- Certifications
- Bio, HVE
- Grape varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon 53%, Merlot 47%
Practical information
- Address
- Lieu Dit Fontesteau, 33250 SAINT-SAUVEUR
- Phone
- 05 56 59 52 76
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Réservation en ligne des visites possible. Possibilité de privatiser le château.