Château Haut Grelot

Identity

Château Haut-Grelot is a winegrowing estate steeped in Bordeaux tradition, owned by the Bonneau Family. It is located in the commune of Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde, in the Gironde department. The estate's management is overseen by Julien and Céline Bonneau.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château Haut-Grelot began in 1920, founded by the great-grandfather and grandfather of the current owners in the original village of « Les Grelots ». Initially a 6-hectare farm dedicated to viticulture and livestock, the estate gradually expanded. In 1975, Joël Bonneau contributed to its specialisation and enlargement. Today, the fourth generation, represented by Julien and Céline Bonneau, took over the reins of the estate around 2009-2011, thus perpetuating the family tradition. Château Haut-Grelot is committed to sustainable viticulture. It is worth noting that an associated estate, Château Penaud, is in conversion to organic farming.

The Appellations

Château Haut-Grelot predominantly produces wines under the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. The estate also crafts cuvées under other regional Bordeaux appellations, including Bordeaux (red and dry white), Bordeaux Clairet, and Crémant de Bordeaux. A portion of the production is also associated with the IGP Charentais for Domaine Grains d'Estuaire.

Winemaking and Ageing

Château Haut-Grelot combines traditional and natural winemaking methods with modern technological equipment. The ageing of the wines is adapted to each cuvée and its desired profile. White wines intended for freshness, such as the Première Cuvée Blanc, are aged in stainless steel tanks. Other whites, like La Belle de Blaye, benefit from barrel ageing on fine lees. Red wines for cellaring, such as L'As de Grelot and Chemin de l'Estuaire, are aged in barrels for periods ranging from sixteen to eighteen months. The Coteaux de Méthez cuvée is aged in barrel for twelve months. Specific techniques, such as skin maceration and ageing in Diamant tanks, are employed for particular cuvées like Boir Pour Voir.

Practical Information

Château Haut-Grelot is located at 28 Les Grelauds, 33820 Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde. It can be reached by telephone on +33 5 57 32 65 98 and by e-mail at jbonneau@hautgrelot.fr. The estate offers tastings and direct sales of its wines at the property. Two shops are also accessible, one in the heart of Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde and the other in Saint-Palais, Charente-Maritime, also offering fine food products.

Find out more

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard of Château Haut-Grelot spans an area of 67 hectares. It is located in the very north of the Blayais region, on elevated land overlooking vast marshes, at the borders of Charente-Maritime, offering an exposure facing the estuary. The terroirs are diverse, characterised by sandy-loamy and gravelly soils, composed of sands, clays, gravels, and silts. Specific plots, such as the Côteaux de Gendron, are renowned for their 'doucins' soils. The grape varieties planted consist of traditional Bordeaux varieties, including Merlot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle, Sauvignon Gris, and Cabernet-Sauvignon.

Flagship Cuvées

Red Wines

• Château Haut-Grelot Coteaux de Méthez : This still red wine is crafted from pure Merlot, sourced from gravelly slopes. It typically undergoes twelve months of ageing in barrel, imparting structure and complexity.
• Château Haut-Grelot L’As de Grelot : A still red cuvée blending Merlot and Malbec. Its extended ageing, eighteen months in barrels, aims to develop aromatic richness and fine intensity.
• Château Haut-Grelot Chemin de l'Estuaire : This red wine is entirely composed of Cabernet-Sauvignon and benefits from whole-berry fermentation followed by sixteen months of ageing in barrel, giving it an ageing potential of around ten years.

White Wines

• Château Haut-Grelot Première Cuvée Blanc (Tradition Blanc) : Primarily based on Sauvignon Blanc (approximately 90%), complemented by Sémillon and Muscadelle. It is a dry still wine, characterised by notes of exotic fruits and citrus, generally aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve its aromatic freshness.
• Château Haut-Grelot La Belle de Blaye : A still white wine crafted 100% from Sauvignon Blanc. It undergoes barrel ageing on fine lees, without new oak, promoting the pure expression of the grape variety and a certain roundness.
• Château Haut-Grelot Boir Pour Voir : A more confidential cuvée, produced 100% from Sauvignon Gris. It is characterised by skin maceration and nine months of ageing in Diamant tanks, with a limited production of approximately 1500 bottles.

Other Cuvées

• The estate also offers Bordeaux Clairet Rosé Tranquille and Crémants de Bordeaux Blanc Effervescent.