Château la Rocaille
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Château la Rocaille is a family-owned winegrowing estate in AOC Graves, run by M. et Mme Lamaison and currently undergoing conversion to organic farming. It produces red wines (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) and white wines (Sémillon, Sauvignon) on sandy gravel soils.
Identity
Château la Rocaille is a family-owned winegrowing estate situated in Podensac. It is managed by M. et Mme Lamaison, with Olivier Lamaison overseeing the estate. Oenological consulting is provided by Lucile Leclercq.
History and philosophy
Château la Rocaille has been a family property for five generations. The estate gradually shifted its focus towards viticulture from the mid-1970s onwards. Following a decade of sustainable practices (lutte raisonnée), Château la Rocaille committed to organic farming conversion.
Appellations
Château la Rocaille produces wines under the AOC Graves appellation, with red wines classified as AOC Graves Rouge and white wines as AOC Graves Blanc. The vineyard is situated across the communes of Podensac, Virelade and Arbanats, roughly 20 km south of Bordeaux, on the Left Bank of the Garonne.
Practical information
Address: 38, rue Pierre-Vincent, 33720 PODENSAC
Telephone: 06 78 58 69 76
Email: lamaison.joseph@orange.fr
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Who are the owners of Château la Rocaille?
- Château la Rocaille is a family property run by M. et Mme Lamaison. It has belonged to the same family for five generations, with Olivier Lamaison serving as estate manager. Oenological consulting is provided by Lucile Leclercq.
- What is the vineyard size and grape variety breakdown at Château la Rocaille?
- The vineyard of Château la Rocaille spans approximately 10 hectares. For red wines, the grape variety plantings consist of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. For white wines, plantings are predominantly 90% Sémillon and 10% Sauvignon.
- What is unique about the terroir of Château la Rocaille?
- The terroir of Château la Rocaille is characterised by sandy gravel and gravelly sand soils. The vineyard is situated across the communes of Podensac, Virelade and Arbanats, about 20 km south of Bordeaux, on the Left Bank of the Garonne. This soil profile is typical of the Graves appellation.
- What certifications does Château la Rocaille hold?
- Château la Rocaille is certified in organic farming. The estate committed to this approach after a ten-year period of sustainable viticulture (lutte raisonnée), reflecting a steady evolution towards environmentally friendly winegrowing.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château la Rocaille vineyard covers an area of approximately 10 hectares. The soils are characterised by sandy gravel and gravelly sand. Harvesting is carried out mechanically.
The red grape varieties comprise Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), with other red varieties such as Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc also featured. The average age of the red vines is 15 years, with a planting density of 5,000 vines per hectare.
For the white wines, the grape varieties consist predominantly of Sémillon (90%) and Sauvignon (10%). The average age of the white vines is 15 years.
Flagship cuvées
Among the wines produced, Château la Rocaille notably offers a red cuvée named Château la Rocaille Vieilles Vignes. The estate's white wines are characterised by ageing on fine lees.
Vinification and ageing
For red wines, vinification includes extended maceration. Ageing lasts approximately 9 months, primarily in vats (90%) with a portion in oak barrels (10%), of which 30% are new oak.
White wines are aged in vats for around 3 months on fine lees.
- Appellation
- Graves
- Commune
- Podensac
- Wine region
- Graves & Sauternais
- Owner
- M. et Mme Lamaison
- Technical direction
- Lucile Leclercq
- Surface area
- 10 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Sémillon 90%, Sauvignon 10%
Practical information
- Address
- 38, rue Pierre-Vincent, 33720 PODENSAC
- Phone
- 06 78 58 69 76
- Contact form
- Contact the estate