Château la Dominique

Identity

Château La Dominique is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Saint-Émilion. It has been owned by the Fayat family since 1969. General management is overseen by Gwendeline Lucas, with Romain Sapet serving as cellar master. Julien Viaud acts as consulting oenologist for the estate.

History and philosophy

The history of Château La Dominique dates back to the 16th century for its earliest wine production. The estate's name, which emerged at the end of the 18th century, evokes a Caribbean island. Acquired by the Fayat family in 1969 from the Soualle family, the estate underwent extensive modernisation. Michel Rolland has served as consulting oenologist for the property since 1978.

In 2012, architect Jean Nouvel designed the current cellar, a structure whose new extension was completed in June 2013 and inaugurated in 2014. Covering 600 m², this new building welcomed vinification starting with the 2013 vintage. The estate is committed to sustainable, respectful, and integrated viticulture, aimed at preserving the vineyard's biodiversity.

Appellations

Château La Dominique produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé appellation. The vineyard is located in the north-west of Saint-Émilion, bordering the Pomerol appellation. It neighbours prestigious properties such as Cheval Blanc, Petrus, l’Evangile, Figeac, and La Conseillante.

Practical information

Château La Dominique is located at Lieu-dit La Dominique, 33330 SAINT-EMILION. Telephone contact is +33 (0)5 57 51 31 36 and email is contact@vignobles.fayat.com. The on-site boutique is open continuously from 10:00 to 18:00, and mail orders are also available.

The estate offers tours and tastings by appointment, inviting guests to discover the harmony between wine culture, art, and gastronomy. An on-site restaurant, “La Terrasse Rouge”, offers panoramic views across neighbouring properties and serves seasonal South-West specialities. There is no accommodation available on the estate.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château La Dominique vineyard covers a continuous 29-hectare area. It is characterised by clay-gravel, clay-limestone, and sandy-clay soils. The average age of the vines is 30 years. The estate carries out 100% manual harvesting.

The vineyard's grape varieties are predominantly Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. For the 2023 vintage, the varietal breakdown is 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. Vineyard management practices aim to preserve the soils and the freshness of the wines, including cover cropping between vine rows, limited trimming, and targeted leaf thinning.

Flagship cuvées

The estate's main wine is Château La Dominique, a red wine from the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. It is complemented by the second wine, Relais de La Dominique Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.

The blends are dominated by Merlot, with varying proportions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon depending on the vintage. For instance, the 2021 vintage features a blend of 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the 2023 vintage is crafted from 88% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification takes place in a modern vat room comprising 22 double-skinned stainless steel vats, each with a capacity of 70 hl. The estate uses optical grape sorting. Ageing for the grand vin, Château La Dominique, generally lasts 14 months. For the 2023 vintage, ageing was carried out using 50% new oak barrels, 40% one-wine barrels, and 10% in alternative vessels including plant-based polymer eggs, amphorae, and Wine Globes.