Château Pas de l'Ane

Identity

Château Pas de l’Âne is a winegrowing estate located in Saint-Émilion, in the Gironde. It is owned by Nicolas Baptiste. Previously known as Château Cros-Figeac and Château Cros-Saint-Emilion, the estate was established under its current name in 1999.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Pas de l'Âne began in 1999, after previously operating under different names. The estate is committed to sustainable viticulture (viticulture raisonnée), as reflected in its vineyard management practices. It holds HVE 4 certification and has been awarded the Vignobles et Découvertes label.

Appellations

Château Pas de l'Âne produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru and Bordeaux Blanc appellations.

Winemaking and ageing

Winemaking at Château Pas de l'Âne is overseen with the guidance of a consulting oenologist. The cellar is equipped with temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and climate-controlled ageing cellars with regulated humidity. The red wines are matured in oak barrels, typically for 12 months, using one- to three-year-old barrels crafted from Allier oak (Seguin Moreau and Quintessence). For the white wine Optimus, ageing combines new oak barrels and stoneware amphorae.

Practical information

Château Pas de l'Âne is located at 2683 Route de Libourne, 33330 Saint-Émilion. You can reach the estate by telephone on +33 5 57 24 67 66 or by email at contact@chateau-pasdelane.fr.

The estate welcomes visitors and offers paid tastings. Introductory tasting workshops and masterclasses are also available. A unique wine tasting under hypnosis can be arranged upon request for groups of 2 to 15 people. The estate accommodates groups (up to 20 people) and pets. Both French and English are spoken. Additional services include delivery and Wi-Fi. Opening hours vary by season: from April to October, the estate is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00; from November to March, it is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Pas de l'Âne vineyard spans approximately 12.5 to 13 hectares, with vines averaging 35 years of age. Soils are mechanically worked beneath the vines, complemented by controlled grass cover between the rows. Vineyard practices include debudding, leaf-thinning, and green harvesting. Harvesting is carried out by hand in small crates, followed by van transport and temporary refrigerated storage at 3°C.

The estate's soils are diverse, featuring clay-limestone, silty-gravelly, brown gravelly-sandy (gravel), coarse-textured (clayey sand), as well as medium-textured brown and calcareous brown soils. The vineyard's altitude ranges from 70 to 90 metres.

The red grape varieties planted on the estate are predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Franc, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon on specific parcels. For the white wine, Sémillon is cultivated.

Signature cuvées

The estate produces several cuvées, including:

Le Pas de L’Ane

Regarded as the estate's Grand Vin, this wine is produced under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation. It delivers aromas of red and black fruit, complemented by spicy and toasty oak notes. Its structure reveals a fine tannic concentration and a lingering finish. The blend comprises 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. It is aged for 12 months in one- to three-year-old oak barrels (Allier oak from Seguin Moreau and Quintessence).

Le Petit Pas

The estate's second wine, also a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Le Petit Pas displays a powerful, well-structured palate. Its blend consists of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, sourced from a selection of the oldest vines grown on clay-limestone soils. Ageing takes place in temperature-controlled wooden vats and stainless steel tanks.

Château Haut Saint-Brice

This Saint-Émilion Grand Cru stands out for its structure and complexity, offering aromas of spices and fruit. The blend features 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet, drawn from diverse terroirs. It is aged for 12 months in one- to three-year-old oak barrels (Allier oak from Seguin Moreau and Quintessence).

Château Le Cros

Produced as a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Château Le Cros is crafted from 85% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from clay-limestone and silty-gravelly soils, this cuvée is aged for 12 months in one- to three-year-old barrels (Allier oak from Seguin Moreau and Quintessence).

Optimus Blanc

Crafted under the Bordeaux Blanc appellation, this dry white wine is a single-varietal Sémillon. It is aged in new French oak barrels (70%) and stoneware amphorae (30%).