Where is Château Sainte Catherine located and who owns it?

Château Sainte Catherine is located in the commune of Paillet, in Gironde. The estate is owned by Jean Merlaut, who also acts as the winemaker.

Which appellations are produced at Château Sainte Catherine?

Château Sainte Catherine produces wines under the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation for reds, Bordeaux Rosé for rosés, Bordeaux Clairet for clairets, and Bordeaux Blanc for white wines.

What is the surface area of the vineyard and what are the main grape varieties?

The vineyard of Château Sainte Catherine covers 56 hectares. The predominant red grape varieties are Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Franc (25%). For white wines, plantings consist mainly of Sémillon (60%) and Sauvignon (40%). Bordeaux Clairet is made from 100% Merlot.

Château Sainte Catherine

Updated on 8 August 2026

Located in Paillet, Château Sainte Catherine produces red, white, rosé, and clairet wines under various Bordeaux appellations. The vineyard spans 56 hectares on clay-limestone and gravel soils.

Identity

Château Sainte Catherine is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Paillet, in Gironde. The property is owned by Jean Merlaut, who also oversees the winemaking. The estate belongs to SCEA VIGNOBLES F. ET J. ARJEAU.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château Sainte Catherine dates back to the 12th century, when the Sainte-Catherine d'Artolie priory was established on this land. Jean Merlaut has owned the estate since 2013.

Appellations

Château Sainte Catherine produces wines under several appellations: Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux for red wines, Bordeaux Blanc for white wines, Bordeaux Rosé for rosés, and Bordeaux Clairet for clairets.

Practical Information

Château Sainte Catherine is located at 23 Chemin de Marquet, 33550 Paillet. The estate offers tastings and cellar-door wine sales. The cellar is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, as well as on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. The estate also participates in events such as Open House Days.

Find Out More

Official estate website

Frequently asked questions

Where is Château Sainte Catherine located and who owns it?: Château Sainte Catherine is located in the commune of Paillet, in Gironde. The estate is owned by Jean Merlaut, who also acts as the winemaker.
Which appellations are produced at Château Sainte Catherine?: Château Sainte Catherine produces wines under the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation for reds, Bordeaux Rosé for rosés, Bordeaux Clairet for clairets, and Bordeaux Blanc for white wines.
What is the surface area of the vineyard and what are the main grape varieties?: The vineyard of Château Sainte Catherine covers 56 hectares. The predominant red grape varieties are Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Franc (25%). For white wines, plantings consist mainly of Sémillon (60%) and Sauvignon (40%). Bordeaux Clairet is made from 100% Merlot.
What are the opening hours for visits and tastings at the estate?: The cellar at Château Sainte Catherine is open for tastings and sales on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, as well as on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard of Château Sainte Catherine covers an area of 56 hectares on clay-limestone and gravel soils. For red wine production, plots dedicated to the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation cover 35 hectares. The grape varieties for these red wines consist of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, with an average vine age of 20 years. Planting density is 5,000 vines/ha, and the vines are double Guyot trained. For white wines, the vineyard dedicated to the Bordeaux Blanc appellation represents 6.55 hectares on clay-limestone and clay soils. The blend of grape varieties is 60% Sémillon and 40% Sauvignon, with vines averaging 10 to 20 years of age, likewise double Guyot trained and planted at a density of 5,000 vines/ha. Parcels designated for rosé wines span 11 hectares, planted with 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Finally, 3 hectares are devoted to the production of Bordeaux Clairet, planted entirely with Merlot.

Signature Cuvées

The estate offers a range of wines comprising reds, whites, rosés, and clairets. The Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux – Rouge cuvée is crafted primarily from Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Rosé wines, produced under the Bordeaux Rosé appellation, are generally composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and are characterised by ageing on fine lees for one month, followed by three months in stainless steel vats. White wines under the Bordeaux Blanc appellation are made from a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon. Bordeaux Clairet is a single-varietal Merlot wine.

Vinification and Ageing

The vinification of red wines under the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux appellation includes ageing with oak staves. For rosé wines in the Bordeaux Rosé AOC, ageing is carried out on fine lees for one month, then in stainless steel vats for three months prior to bottling. White wines of the Bordeaux Blanc AOC are aged in stainless steel vats for three months before bottling. Likewise, wines under the Bordeaux Clairet AOC benefit from three months of stainless steel vat ageing prior to bottling.

Estate news

19 May 2026

Portes ouvertes Maison des Vins 2026 | Ville de Cadillac sur Garonne

La 31ème édition des Journées Portes Ouvertes de la Région des Premières Côtes de Bordeaux se tiendra les 6 et 7 juin 2026, de 10h à 19h. Cet événement permettra aux visiteurs de rencontrer une trentaine de vignerons d'exception qui partageront leur passion et proposeront de nombreuses animations, activités ludiques et déjeuners. Parmi les 32 châteaux participants figurent, à Cadillac, le Château Fayau ; à Camblanes-et-Meynac, le Château Brethous et le Domaine du Tasta ; à Capian, le Château Suau, le Château de Potiron et le Domaine de Darbalot ; à Cardan, le Château du Payre ; à Carignan, le Château Carignan ; à Donzac, le Château Rozier-Morillons et le Château Le Filh ; à Haux, le Château Lamothe de Haux ; à Langoiran, le Château La Peyruche et le Château Langoiran ; à Latresne, le Château Pascot ; à Laroque, le Château Peller Laroque ; à Loupiac, le Château Grand Peyruchet et le Château Dauphiné Rondillon ; à Monprimblanc, le Château Garbes Cabanieu ; à Omet, le Château La Bertrande ; à Paillet, le Château Sainte Catherine ; à Rions, le Château Carsin, le Château Petit Guillot (au Château Carsin), La Bastane, le Château Beneyt et le Château Réaut ; à Saint Caprais, le Château le Sens ; à Sainte-Croix du Mont, le Château du Pavillon ; à Saint Germain de Graves, le Domaine du Cheval Blanc ; à Saint-Loubès, le Château Haut Tellas ; à Saint Maixant, le Château La Prioulette ; à Tabanac, le Château Renon ; et à Verdelais, le Château Charreau. Des séances d'initiation à la dégustation de vin, animées par un formateur de l’école du vin de Bordeaux, seront également proposées sans réservation à la Maison des Vins de Cadillac, au tarif de 3€ par personne, le samedi et le dimanche à 11h, 12h, 14h, 15h, 16h et 17h, dans la limite des places disponibles. Il est à noter que le Château Réaut ne proposera pas de restauration ni de concert comme initialement prévu, mais les visites de son chai resteront possibles.

Read the source — cadillacsurgaronne.fr