Château la Violette
Updated on
Château La Violette is a winegrowing estate located in Pomerol, owned by the Famille Parent. It produces a single-varietal Merlot red wine from a 1.68-hectare vineyard planted on crasse de fer soils, crafted with hand-harvesting and barrel vinification.
Identity
Château La Violette is a winegrowing estate situated in the commune of Pomerol. The estate is owned by the Famille Parent, who also owns Château Le Gay and Château Montviel. Florian Pesquier is the cellar master, and Philippe Thibault oversees the vineyards. Oenological consulting is provided by Laboratoire Rolland.
History and philosophy
The estate's name, Château La Violette, has been documented since the late 19th century. In 2006, Château La Violette was acquired by Vignobles Péré-Vergé under the leadership of Catherine Péré-Vergé. Following her passing in 2013, ownership of the estate transferred to the Famille Parent.
The appellations
Château La Violette produces wines under the Pomerol appellation.
Practical information
Château La Violette is located at 1, impasse de Bordes, 33500 Pomerol.
Visits and cellar-door sales are available by appointment. For further information or to schedule an appointment, the estate can be contacted by telephone at +33 6 60 64 04 01 or by email at communication@vignoblesparent.com.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Who are the current owners of Château La Violette?
- Château La Violette is currently owned by the Famille Parent. The family also owns Château Le Gay and Château Montviel, two other esteemed winegrowing estates. The Famille Parent took over the property in 2013 following the passing of Catherine Péré-Vergé, who had acquired the château in 2006 under the Vignobles Péré-Vergé banner.
- What is the surface area and grape variety breakdown of Château La Violette's vineyard?
- The vineyard of Château La Violette covers approximately 1.68 to 1.7 hectares across four distinct parcels. It is planted exclusively with Merlot, accounting for 100% of the estate's grape variety breakdown. The vines average around 50 years of age and are located on the heights of the Pomerol plateau, renowned for its crasse de fer terroir.
- How are vinification and ageing carried out at Château La Violette?
- Vinification at Château La Violette is an exacting micro-vinification process, including meticulous berry-by-berry manual destemming by a dedicated team. Methods include cold maceration, manual punch-downs, and barrel rolling. Ageing takes place entirely in 100% new oak barrels, predominantly premium "Saury L’ÉCRIN" barrels, for a duration of 12 to 18 months, tailored to the profile of each vintage.
- Is it possible to visit Château La Violette and purchase wine on-site?
- Yes, visits to Château La Violette and direct cellar-door purchases are possible, though strictly by appointment. To arrange a visit or for any enquiries, you may contact the estate by phone at +33 6 60 64 04 01 or by email at communication@vignoblesparent.com. The estate is located at 1, impasse de Bordes, 33500 Pomerol.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard of Château La Violette covers an area of 1.68 to 1.7 hectares, divided into four parcels. It is situated on the upper reaches of the Pomerol plateau. The soils are defined by the presence of crasse de fer (iron-rich ironpan). The vines have an average age of approximately 50 years. The entire vineyard is planted with Merlot.
Viticultural practices include debudding, green harvesting, and leaf thinning. Harvesting is carried out by hand in small crates, with two to three passes through the vineyard to ensure optimal grape ripeness. No outside grapes are purchased.
Flagship cuvées
Château La Violette produces a single-varietal red wine made exclusively from Merlot. Annual production is approximately 5,100 bottles. This wine is distinguished by complete vinification directly in new oak barrels.
Vinification and ageing
Vinification at Château La Violette is conducted via micro-vinification, featuring manual destemming berry by berry by a dedicated team. Techniques include cold maceration, manual punch-downs (pigeage), and barrel rotations. The wine's ageing takes place in new oak barrels—primarily premium "Saury L’ÉCRIN" casks—for 12 to 18 months, depending on the vintage.
- Appellation
- Pomerol
- Commune
- Pomerol
- Wine region
- Libournais
- Classification
- Pomerol (sans classement officiel)
- Owner
- VIGNOBLES PARENT
- Technical direction
- Florian Pesquier
- Surface area
- 1.68 ha
- Grape varieties
- Merlot 100%
Estate news
20 March 2026
Vins de Bordeaux : admiré, l’œnologue Michel Rolland « a marqué l’histoire »
L'article de Sud Ouest rend hommage à Michel Rolland, œnologue libournais décédé le 20 mars 2026 à l'âge de 78 ans des suites d'un infarctus. Sa disparition suscite de nombreux témoignages élogieux au sein du vignoble bordelais et au-delà. Daniel Mouty, président des Vignerons indépendants de Nouvelle-Aquitaine, le décrit comme une figure ayant marqué l'histoire et une personne généreuse et agréable. Dans les années 1990, Michel Rolland a transformé la viticulture girondine en promouvant la sélection des grappes et la maturité optimale du raisin, tout en prônant une vinification moins interventionniste. Bien que ses méthodes aient été critiquées, notamment pour une prétendue standardisation des vins de Bordeaux, il est reconnu pour avoir rétabli des pratiques plus authentiques et tiré le vignoble vers le haut. Nicolas Thienpont, gérant de propriétés prestigieuses comme le Château Pavie Macquin, Larcis Ducasse et Bellevue, salue son apport dans la compréhension de la maturité des raisins. Alfred Tesseron, propriétaire du Château Pontet-Canet, souligne son professionnalisme. Paul Barre, vigneron en biodynamie à Fronsac et ami de longue date, témoigne de l'accompagnement et du soutien de Michel Rolland à ses débuts, lui ayant fourni une base technique solide sans jamais le juger pour ses choix différents. L'article met en lumière son influence mondiale et son rôle de « flying winemaker », ayant conseillé des propriétés en Argentine et en Californie, et ayant même élaboré des vins en Inde, preuve de son expertise recherchée et de son caractère truculent.
Read the source — sudouest.frPractical information
- Address
- 1, impasse de Bordes, 33500 POMEROL
- Phone
- +33 6 60 64 04 01
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous