Château l'Insoumise

Identity

Château L'Insoumise is owned by Cécile Thirouin and Thierry de Taffin, both trained oenologists. The winegrowing estate is situated in the commune of Saint-André-de-Cubzac, in Gironde.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château L'Insoumise dates back to the 17th century, when the original building was constructed. The estate was formerly known as Domaine de Beychevelle and was owned by the Cousteau family until 1945. In August 2007, Cécile Thirouin and Thierry de Taffin took over the property, marking the beginning of the estate under its current name. They have managed the vineyard ever since. The barrel cellar was renovated in 1615.

The estate is committed to environmentally friendly viticulture, practising organic farming methods. It achieved Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) Level 3 certification in 2019, reflecting its dedication to biodiversity, sustainable plant protection strategies, and optimised fertilisation management.

Appellations

Château L'Insoumise produces wines under several appellations: Bordeaux, Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux Supérieur rouge, Bordeaux blanc, Bordeaux rosé, Crémant de Bordeaux and Fronsac.

Practical Information

Address: 360, chemin de Peyrot, 33240 Saint-André-de-Cubzac

Telephone: +33 5 57 43 17 82

Email: chateaulinsoumise@orange.fr

The cellar door shop is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Tasting tours are available by appointment (fee applies). Two options are offered: an estate presentation, a tour of the cellars, and a tasting of 2 or 3 wines (approx. 1 hour), or a simple tasting of 2 or 3 wines. The estate also offers wine tourism activities, including holiday cottage accommodation (gîte) and a “L’Insoumise sur l’eau” experience (picnic by the Dordogne) from May to October.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard extends over 19 hectares of clay-limestone hillsides located along the banks of the Dordogne River. The vines are crossed by the 45th parallel.

The grape varieties planted include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec (including 1 hectare of old vines) and Sauvignon Blanc (1 hectare).

Flagship Cuvées

The estate offers a range of red, white and sparkling wines.

Château L'Insoumise Prestige

This red cuvée, crafted from Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, offers a well-balanced structure. It is aged in oak barrels.

Château L'Insoumise Chai 45

Also a red wine, this cuvée is predominantly made of Merlot, complemented by Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The vines for this cuvée are planted on hillside slopes crossed by the 45th parallel. A still white version of this cuvée is also produced, unoaked to preserve purity of fruit.

Château L'Insoumise Vendanges des Poètes Élevé en fût de chêne

This red cuvée is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, and benefits from ageing in oak barrels.

Vinification and Ageing

The estate's red wines are aged in oak barrels or casks. For the white wines, ageing is carried out without oak contact, highlighting the pure expression of fresh fruit aromas.