Château Montpezat

Identity

Château Montpezat is a winegrowing estate located in Belvès-de-Castillon. It is currently owned by the Blanc family, who acquired it in 1924. The estate is consulted by Stéphane Derenoncourt.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Montpezat dates back to the 17th century. The estate grew around a former coaching inn from 1620, where pilgrims on the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle route used to halt. Over the course of its history, the estate counted the Pères de l’Oratoire and Félix de Juvenel (in 1653) among its owners.

The Blanc family, owners of Château Montpezat since 1924, steered the estate towards environmentally conscious viticulture, achieving organic certification in 2009. The estate incorporates practices such as agropastoralism, using a flock of organic ewes for winter soil maintenance. Inputs are kept to a strict minimum, and herbal teas made from nettle, horsetail, comfrey, and willow are applied. The estate has also significantly reduced its use of tractors.

The appellations

Château Montpezat produces wines under the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. It also crafts wines under the Bordeaux blanc and Bordeaux rosé appellations. In addition, the estate markets wines under the AOP Languedoc, IGP Pays d’Oc, and Vin de France appellations.

Practical information

Château Montpezat is located at 1144, route du Bois-de-Balette in Belvès-de-Castillon (33350). The estate offers tastings and cellar-door sales from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Visits on Saturday and Sunday are by appointment. For all enquiries, the telephone number is +33 5 57 56 05 55 and the email is contact@cote-montpezat.com.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

Château Montpezat’s vineyard extends over a planted area of 31.2 hectares. The soils feature gravelly alluvium over a clay-limestone bedrock. The average vine age is 35 years. For the red grape varieties, the varietal mix comprises 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. For the white grape varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Sémillon are grown in equal proportions.

Signature cuvées

Among the estate’s flagship bottlings is the “Cuvée Compostelle”, available in red (Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux) and white (Bordeaux blanc). The red version of Cuvée Compostelle displays a structure crafted for extended cellaring. The white version is vinified and aged in oak barrels, delivering a fine balance between fruit and oak notes, with a rich texture and vibrant acidity. The estate also produces a rosé cuvée, “Le Canon” (Bordeaux rosé), and a white wine named “Les Enclos Blanc” under the IGP Pays d’Oc and Vin de France appellations.

Vinification and ageing

The estate favours hand-harvesting for part of its production. Vinification is organic with minimal use of inputs. Ageing for the red Cuvée Compostelle can last from 12 to 16 months in oak casks. For the Les Enclos Blanc cuvée, ageing takes place in vats for 6 months.