Château les Garelles
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Château Les Garelles, located in Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye, is a family-run winegrowing estate managed using organic and biodynamic viticulture. It crafts wines under the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux and Vin de France appellations, some of which are made with no added sulphites.
Identity
Château Les Garelles is located in the commune of Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye and is managed by Adrien and Thomas Novoa.
History and philosophy
The Novoa family acquired the estate in 1997. In 2009, driven by Thomas Novoa, the vineyard began its conversion to organic and biodynamic agriculture. The year 2014 saw the production of the first certified organic red vintage, vinified without additives or added sulphites. In 2016, the estate started vinifying white and rosé wines with no added sulphites and achieved USDA NOP "100% organic" certification. Adrien Novoa joined his brother Thomas at the estate in 2018. The entire vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since 2019. More recently, in 2023, Château Les Garelles was awarded JAS (Japan) certification.
The appellations
Château Les Garelles produces wines under the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux and Bordeaux Rosé appellations. The estate also crafts wines classified as Vin de France.
Practical information
For further information, please visit the estate's official website.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- Who owns Château Les Garelles and when did the family acquire the estate?
- Château Les Garelles is run by Adrien and Thomas Novoa. The Novoa family acquired this winegrowing estate in 1997. Adrien Novoa joined his brother Thomas in 2018, consolidating family management and furthering the estate's viticultural and oenological practices, particularly in organic and biodynamic farming.
- What ecological certifications does Château Les Garelles hold?
- Château Les Garelles is certified organic. The estate started its conversion in 2009 and produced its first certified organic red vintage in 2014. It also achieved USDA NOP "100% organic" certification in 2016 and JAS (Japan) certification in 2023. The entire vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since 2019.
- What grape varieties are grown and what is the terroir at Château Les Garelles?
- Château Les Garelles cultivates red grape varieties such as Merlot, Carménère, and Malbec, as well as white grape varieties Sauvignon blanc and Sauvignon gris. The vineyard spans 45 hectares. The terroir features clay-limestone soils, with parcels planted at an average altitude of approximately 50 metres. The average age of the vines is around twenty years.
- Which appellations are produced at Château Les Garelles and how are the wines vinified?
- Château Les Garelles produces wines under the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux and Bordeaux Rosé appellations. The estate also crafts wines classified as Vin de France, including cuvées such as "Perles des Garelles" in white and rosé. Red wines are vinified without additives. All red, white, and rosé wines are made with no added sulphites, and ageing takes place in stainless steel tanks.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard covers an area of 45 hectares. The estate's soils consist of clay and limestone. The parcels are situated at an average altitude of around 50 metres, with vines averaging about twenty years of age. The red grape varieties grown are Merlot, Carménère, and Malbec, alongside white grape varieties Sauvignon blanc and Sauvignon gris. The entire vineyard is managed under organic and biodynamic viticulture.
Flagship cuvées
The estate offers a diverse range of wines that includes Vin de France cuvées, notably the "Perles des Garelles" white and rosé. A cuvée is also crafted under the Bordeaux Rosé appellation. For the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, the estate produces a white cuvée, a red cuvée, and a "Premium" red cuvée.
Vinification and ageing
The vinification of red wines is carried out without any additives. All red, white, and rosé wines are vinified with no added sulphites. Ageing across the entire range takes place in stainless steel tanks.
- Appellation
- Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
- Commune
- Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye
- Wine region
- Les Vins de Côtes
- Owner
- Famille Novoa
- Technical direction
- Adrien et Thomas Novoa
- Surface area
- 45 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Merlot, Carménère, Malbec, Sauvignon blanc, Sauvignon gris
Practical information
- Address
- Saint-Christoly-de-Blaye
- Contact form
- Contact the estate