Château Les Cabannes
Updated on
Château Les Cabannes is a certified organic winegrowing estate located in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens. Owned by Peter and Brigitte Kjellberg, it produces wines across the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux appellations from 7 hectares of vines.
Identity
Château Les Cabannes is located in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, in the Gironde department. It is owned by Peter and Brigitte Kjellberg, with Peter Kjellberg managing winemaking.
History and Philosophy
Peter Kjellberg, a Canadian national, graduated with an oenology degree in 1986 alongside Brigitte Kjellberg. He honed his skills during an internship at Château Haut-Brion in Pessac in 1988, followed by a tenure at Château Grand Renouil from 1989 to 1996. Château Les Cabannes was acquired by the current owners in 1997.
The estate is committed to environmentally friendly viticulture, certified by Agriculture Biologique (FR-BIO-01). Vineyard management practices include mechanical tillage as well as the planting of trees and hedgerows to foster biodiversity.
The Appellations
Château Les Cabannes crafts wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux appellations.
Winemaking and Ageing
Harvesting is performed by hand across all parcels, including sorting on the vine before gathering into crates. For the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru cuvée, ageing takes place in French oak barrels for 12 months. For the Saint-Émilion cuvée, ageing methods vary by vintage, incorporating one- or two-wine barrels or stainless steel vats. The Bordeaux cuvée is aged in stainless steel or concrete vats.
Practical Information
Address: 234 Les Cabanes, 33330 Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens
Telephone: +33557246286
Email: kjellberg.cuzange@orange.fr
Visits to the estate are available year-round and can be conducted in French and English.
Find Out More
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Château Les Cabannes located and who owns it?
- Château Les Cabannes is located in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, in the Gironde department. It is owned by Peter and Brigitte Kjellberg, with Peter Kjellberg also overseeing winemaking.
- Which appellations are produced by Château Les Cabannes?
- Château Les Cabannes produces wines under three distinct appellations: Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux, each reflecting its specific terroir and grape varieties.
- What is the size of the vineyard and what are the main grape varieties?
- The vineyard of Château Les Cabannes spans a total of 7 hectares. The overall grape variety distribution is dominated by Merlot Noir at 70%, complemented by 30% Cabernet Franc.
- Does Château Les Cabannes practice organic viticulture?
- Yes, Château Les Cabannes is committed to environmentally respectful viticulture and is certified organic (FR-BIO-01). Practices notably include mechanical soil management and the planting of trees and hedgerows.
The Vineyard (Terroir)
The vineyard of Château Les Cabannes covers a total surface area of 7 hectares, planted at an overall density of 6,000 vines per hectare. Pruning is carried out according to the traditional Médoc double Guyot method (taille médocaine).
It consists of two main blocks. The first, covering 4 hectares in Saint-Émilion, is characterised by silica-clay soils with iron pan (crasse de fer). The second, spanning 3 hectares in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, features soils formed on a gravel ridge of recent alluvial deposits from the Dordogne.
The estate's overall grape varieties comprise 70% Merlot Noir and 30% Cabernet Franc.
For the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, the dedicated vineyard covers 1 hectare planted in 1965 and 1997 on recent gravels. The grape variety breakdown is 90% Merlot Noir and 10% Cabernet Franc.
For the Saint-Émilion appellation, 4 hectares are cultivated, with vines planted in 1997, 2005 and 2013 on gravelly sands over mottled clay with iron pan. The grape varieties are 70% Merlot Noir and 30% Cabernet Franc.
Finally, for the Bordeaux appellation, 1.8 hectares are devoted to vines planted in 1998 on gravel and silty sand soils. The grape variety mix is 70% Merlot Noir and 30% Cabernet Franc.
Signature Cuvées
The estate produces several cuvées that reflect the distinctive character of their terroirs and appellations. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand across all cuvées, with sorting on the vine and picking into small crates.
The Saint-Émilion Grand Cru cuvée, crafted from 90% Merlot Noir and 10% Cabernet Franc, is characterised by 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels. Estate-bottled at the château, this wine develops structure and complexity through its time in oak.
The Saint-Émilion cuvée, made from 70% Merlot Noir and 30% Cabernet Franc, receives an ageing regime tailored to each vintage. For instance, the 2020 vintage was aged 50% in one-wine barrels and 50% in two-wine barrels, whereas the 2021 vintage underwent ageing split between 70% stainless steel vats and 30% one-wine barrels. These ageing choices enhance the aromatic and structural diversity of the wine, which is bottled at the château.
The Bordeaux cuvée, produced from 70% Merlot Noir and 30% Cabernet Franc, is aged in stainless steel or concrete vats to highlight pure fruit expression. This wine is also estate-bottled at the château.
- Appellations
- Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux
- Commune
- Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens
- Wine region
- Libournais
- Owner
- Peter et Brigitte Kjellberg
- Technical direction
- Peter Kjellberg
- Surface area
- 7 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot Noir 70%, Cabernet Franc 30%
Practical information
- Address
- 234, Les Cabanes, 33330 Saint Sulpice de Faleyrens
- Phone
- 05 57 24 62 86
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Visites toute l'année (français et anglais).