Château Grand Abord
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Château Grand Abord, a family winegrowing estate belonging to Vignobles Dugoua for over two centuries in Portets, produces red and white Graves wines on 26 hectares of smooth gravel. The vineyard is managed using sustainable farming practices.
Identity
Château Grand Abord is a family winegrowing estate located in the commune of Portets, Gironde. The property is run by Philippe and Marie-France Dugoua, who represent the latest generation of the Dugoua family, owners of the estate for over two centuries and at the helm of Vignobles Dugoua.
History and Philosophy
The origins of the Château Grand Abord vineyard are attested as early as 1720. Plots of the estate were already mentioned in the 1868 Guide Féret, bearing witness to its historical establishment in the Bordeaux winegrowing landscape. The name "Grand Abord" refers to the Garonne, which once stretched to the edges of the property, allowing boats to dock.
The Dugoua family is committed to a sustainable farming approach for the vineyard. This approach integrates modernity and tradition, with a concern for environmental respect, although no official sustainable winegrowing certification (organic, biodynamic or HVE) is mentioned for the estate.
The Appellations
Château Grand Abord produces wines under the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Graves, in red and white. The Dugoua family, through Vignobles Dugoua, also crafts wines from other properties, notably under the Bordeaux, Bordeaux Rosé and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations.
Winemaking and Ageing
Red Wines
The winemaking process for red wines begins with a cold pre-fermentation maceration of approximately two days. Alcoholic fermentation then takes place for about ten days in stainless steel and concrete vats. A post-fermentation maceration follows, lasting between 10 and 20 days, in order to optimise the extraction of phenolic compounds. Ageing then takes place for 12 months in barrels, one third of which are renewed each year.
White Wines
For white wines, the process begins with a 12-hour low-temperature skin maceration. A cold settling (debourbage) is then carried out for five days. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and concrete vats, lasting for a period of 10 to 20 days. Ageing is approximately 45 days and takes place on fine lees in stainless steel vats, with no barrel ageing for the main cuvée.
Practical Information
Address: 56 route des Graves, BP 7, 33640 Portets, France
Telephone: 05 56 67 50 75
Email: contact@vignobles-dugoua.fr
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the main appellations produced at Château Grand Abord?
- Château Grand Abord mainly crafts wines under the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) Graves, in both red and white. The Dugoua family, owners of the estate, also produces other wines under the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur appellations.
- How is the Château Grand Abord vineyard characterised and planted with grape varieties?
- The 26-hectare vineyard of Château Grand Abord is located on smooth Tertiary gravel soils, resting on a limestone subsoil. The grape varieties for the red wines are 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, with vines averaging 35 years old. For the white wines, the blend is 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon.
- What winemaking and ageing methods are employed for Château Grand Abord's red wines?
- Château Grand Abord's red wines undergo a cold pre-fermentation maceration, a 10-day fermentation in stainless steel and concrete vats, followed by a post-fermentation maceration. Ageing lasts 12 months in barrels, one third of which are renewed each year.
- What are the winemaking and ageing practices for Château Grand Abord's white wines?
- The winemaking for white wines includes a 12-hour skin maceration, a cold settling (debourbage), and a fermentation in stainless steel and concrete vats for 10 to 20 days. Ageing then takes place for approximately 45 days on fine lees, always in stainless steel vats.
The Vineyard (Terroir)
The Château Grand Abord vineyard spans 26 hectares. It is characterised by soils composed of smooth Tertiary gravel, resting on a limestone subsoil. These types of soils promote natural drainage and contribute to the expression of the grape varieties planted.
The grape varieties for the vines intended for red wine production are predominantly Merlot (80%), complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon (20%). These red vines have an average age of about 35 years. For the vines dedicated to white wines, the grape varieties are dominated by Sémillon (65%), accompanied by Sauvignon (35%). The average age of the white vines is not specified.
Flagship Cuvées
The main cuvées of the estate are the Château Grand Abord Graves red and the Château Grand Abord Graves white. The estate has also produced a red cuvée "Cuvée Passion", characterised by ageing in oak barrels.
- Appellation
- Graves
- Commune
- Portets
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Owner
- Philippe Dugoua et Marie-France Dugoua
- Surface area
- 26 ha
Practical information
- Address
- 56 Route des Graves - BP 7, 33640 Portets
- Phone
- +33 (0)5 56 67 50 75
- Contact form
- Contact the estate