Château la Marzelle
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Château La Marzelle, a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé, has been owned by the Sioen family since 1998. Committed to organic viticulture, the 14.95 ha winegrowing estate is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Identity
Château La Marzelle is a Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion. It is owned by the Sioen family, Belgian industrialists, who acquired it in 1998. The third generation of the family is now at the helm, with Jacqueline Sioen's grandson, Jean-Charles Joris, serving as president. The estate manager is Philippe Genevey, and the consulting oenologist is Jean-Philippe Fort. Sébastien Desmoulin holds the position of cellar master.
History and Philosophy
Château La Marzelle boasts a documented history dating back to the late 18th century and is featured on the Belleyme map of 1821. The estate was ranked as a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru as early as 1959. Following its acquisition in 1998 by Jacqueline and Jean-Jacques Sioen, the château saw its classification annulled in 2006, before reclaiming its Grand Cru Classé status following the reinstatement of the classification in 2012. Since 2020, the estate has been certified organic and is also embracing biodynamic practices. The 2020 vintage marked its first organic certification. The estate's philosophy encompasses strong environmental commitments, backed by HVE and CSR certifications, alongside a biodynamic approach.
Appellations
The parcels of Château La Marzelle are situated within the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, in Saint-Émilion.
Practical Information
Château La Marzelle is located at 9, La Marzelle, 33330 Saint-Émilion. The estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 5 57 55 10 55 or by email at info@lamarzelle.com. Tastings and on-site sales are available. Visits are by appointment, with online booking available on the website. The estate does not offer accommodation or catering facilities.
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the characteristics of the terroir at Château La Marzelle?
- The Château La Marzelle vineyard spans 14.95 hectares on the Haute Terrasse of Saint-Émilion. This terroir was formed by the ancient riverbed of the Isle and features diverse soils, including a vein of blue clay, gravels, and sands. The average vine age is 30 years, with planting densities ranging between 5,700 and 7,150 vines per hectare.
- What grape varieties are planted at Château La Marzelle, and how are they cultivated?
- The blend at Château La Marzelle is dominated by Merlot (75%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (17%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (8%). The vines are pruned using the double Guyot method (taille Bordelaise). The estate prioritises tailored soil cultivation to support microbial biodiversity, conducts manual harvesting and sorting, and refrains entirely from using chemical herbicides.
- What is Château La Marzelle's environmental philosophy?
- Château La Marzelle is deeply committed to sustainable environmental practices. It has been certified organic since 2020, with the 2020 vintage being the first to bear the certification. The estate also holds HVE and CSR certifications and implements biodynamic practices, highlighting a profound and lasting dedication to environmental respect.
- How are vinification and ageing carried out at Château La Marzelle?
- Vinification at Château La Marzelle is conducted in double-skinned truncated stainless steel vats. Ageing combines French oak barrels and terracotta amphorae. For certain vintages, a significant proportion of new oak is used (such as 80% in 2024), alongside 20% matured in amphorae. The ageing period can last up to sixteen months.
The Vineyard (Terroir)
The vineyard of Château La Marzelle spans a continuous single block of 14.95 hectares, situated on the Haute Terrasse of Saint-Émilion, shaped by the ancient riverbed of the Isle. The soils consist of a vein of blue clay, gravels, and sands. The average age of the vines was 30 years in 2021. Planting density ranges from 5,700 to 7,150 vines per hectare. The grape varieties are dominated by Merlot (75%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (17%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (8%), according to 2021 data. Pruning is carried out using the double Guyot method (taille Bordelaise). Vineyard management includes tailored soil tillage to foster microbial life, manual harvesting and sorting, and a strict ban on chemical herbicides.
Flagship Cuvées
The estate's primary production is Château La Marzelle, a still red wine. This cuvée is distinguished by an ageing process combining double-skinned truncated stainless steel vats, oak barrels (80% new in 2024), and terracotta amphorae (20% in 2024), lasting for up to sixteen months. Le Prieuré La Marzelle serves as the château's second wine. The estate also crafts the Château Lamarzelle-Cormey cuvée.
Vinification and Ageing
Vinification at Château La Marzelle takes place in double-skinned truncated stainless steel vats. Ageing is carried out in French oak barrels and terracotta jars. For the 2024 vintage, 80% new oak barrels and 20% terracotta amphorae were utilised. Ageing can last up to sixteen months, as was the case for the 2015 vintage with 60% new oak. Some vintages have also integrated vinification directly in barrels and amphorae. Annual production for Château La Marzelle was approximately 35,000 bottles in 2021.
- Appellation
- Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
- Commune
- Saint-Émilion
- Wine region
- Libournais
- Classification
- Grand Cru Classé (2022)
- Owner
- Jacqueline et Jean-Jacques Sioen
- Technical direction
- Sébastien Desmoulin
- Surface area
- 14.95 ha
- Second wine
- Prieuré La Marzelle
- Certifications
- Bio, HVE
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 75%, Cabernet Franc 17%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%
Practical information
- Address
- 9, La Marzelle, 33330 Saint-Émilion
- Phone
- +33 5 57 55 10 55
- info@lamarzelle.com
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Réservation de visite disponible