Château Plain Point

Identity

Château Plain Point is located in the commune of Saint-Aignan.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Plain Point dates back to 1480, when the estate was first recorded in writing. At the time, it was a fortified stronghold. The first documented wine sales date back to the 16th century. In the 17th century, a fire ravaged the harvest, but the château itself was spared. During the French Revolution, the estate belonged to the De Gombaut family. In the 19th century, Joseph Chaperon acquired, restored, and expanded the property. The name Plain Point is believed to derive from "Plein Poing", meaning "at the summit", referring to its elevated vantage point.

The current owner is Shi Yuzhu. For over a decade, the estate has been committed to reducing its environmental footprint and adopting sustainable viticultural practices. The 2023 vintage marked the inauguration of a gravity-fed cellar designed by architect Olivier Chadebost.

The appellations

Château Plain Point produces wines under the Fronsac, Bordeaux, and Vin de France appellations.

Practical information

Château Plain Point offers tours and wine tourism experiences, including visits to its gravity-fed cellar and walks around the grounds. The estate features an on-site boutique and is planning a six-bedroom guest house alongside a tasting room in the watchtower. Sensory workshops and immersive discovery trails along the "aroma path" are also available. Special activities, such as "Feeding farm animals and creative workshop", take place on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. This includes feeding the animals, a wooden animal decorating workshop, and a refreshing drink. An aperitif offering (wines by the glass and terrines) is available afterwards. Direct sales and tastings are available on site, with free order pick-up at the château.

Address: Saint-Aignan, 33126

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The vineyard of Château Plain Point spans 35 hectares within a 55-hectare estate. Set on the heights of Fronsac, overlooking the Isle and Dordogne valleys, it stands on the remains of an ancient fortified castle.

The estate's soils are composed of molasse du Fronsadais, calcaire à astéries, and blue clay. The molasse du Fronsadais—a blend of clay and limestone subsoil—is particularly well suited to Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Calcaire à astéries (fossil-rich limestone) promotes drainage and moderate hydric stress. Dense blue clays supply essential nutrients and ensure balanced moisture regulation. The vineyard is planted at a density of 7,500 vines per hectare. The average vine age for the Château Plain Point Fronsac cuvée is 40 years.

Environmental practices include the complete elimination of herbicides and insecticides, replaced by preventative methods such as manual tillage, suckering, targeted leaf-stripping, and mating disruption. The estate employs plough horses for young vines and delicate parcels. An agropastoral programme runs from October to April, welcoming a flock of 250 ewes to graze and maintain the vineyard floor. Over 20 hectares across the estate are dedicated to biodiversity (hedgerows, woodland, pine groves, ponds), and beehives are set up near the entrance of the property.

Flagship cuvées

Château Plain Point produces several cuvées:

• Château Plain Point Fronsac: Crafted from a blend of 81% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Malbec, this wine reflects the full expression of the estate's varied terroirs.
• Château Plain Point Bordeaux blanc: A dry white wine produced under the Bordeaux blanc appellation.
• M de Plain Point Rouge: A red wine under the Bordeaux appellation, notably produced in the 2020 vintage.
• M de Plain Point Blanc: A white wine under the Vin de France designation.

Vinification and ageing

Over the course of a decade, the estate completely revamped its winemaking facilities. The monumental 9,000 m² cellar was designed by architect Olivier Chadebost in 2019. Semi-underground on three sides, it maintains a natural temperature of 15°C. The facility operates entirely by gravity flow across a 15-metre elevation drop, featuring a striking central staircase ten metres in diameter. Parcel-by-parcel vinification is carried out using 60 concrete vats, 13 wooden vats, and 14 stainless steel tanks. Temperature control throughout the cellar is managed through natural ventilation via a thermal flue. Each parcel is vinified separately.

For the Château Plain Point Fronsac cuvée, ageing lasts 12 months, split equally between 50% new French oak barrels and 50% concrete vats.