Château Sansonnet

Identity

Château Sansonnet is a winegrowing estate located in the commune of Saint-Émilion, in the Gironde department. It belongs to Marie-Bénédicte Lefévère. Jean Trias manages the estate, and Jean-Philippe Fort serves as its consultant oenologist.

History and philosophy

The history of Château Sansonnet dates back to the early 19th century, when it was owned by the Duc Decazes. The Lefévère family acquired the property in 1999, and Marie-Bénédicte Lefévère has been at the helm since 2009. The estate is also affiliated with other properties, including Château Moulin du Cadet, Château Soutard-Cadet, and Château Harmonie. The estate holds Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification and boasts the Vignobles & Découvertes label. In 2023, the estate buildings were renovated, and the vat room was modernised with state-of-the-art technology tailored for parcel-by-parcel vinification.

The appellations

Château Sansonnet produces wines under the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé appellation.

Winemaking and ageing

Vinification takes place in small, temperature-controlled, truncated cone stainless steel vats designed for parcel selection. Ageing is carried out in barriques, foudres, and amphorae.

Practical information

Château Sansonnet is located at 715 Route de Sansonnet, 33330 Saint-Émilion. Visits and tastings are by appointment only. Several workshops are available, including the "In the Footsteps of the Winemaker" Immersion Workshop, which explores the terroir, grape varieties, and the vine cycle, followed by a tour of the vat room and cellars, and a tutored tasting of three wines paired with a selection of matured cheeses. The "Barrel Tasting" Oenology Workshop includes a walk through the vineyard to discover the soils and grape varieties, a look at the technical facilities, and a barrel tasting of the latest vintage. Pets are welcome and parking is available on-site. The estate also offers international shipping. Payments by credit card, cash, or cheque are accepted. Partner accommodation is available at La Villa des Vignes. The staff speaks English.

For tour bookings, contact reservation@sansonnet.com. For any inquiries regarding La Villa des Vignes, email reception@la-villa-des-vignes.com. The estate can be reached by phone at +33 (0)7 71 43 54 64.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Château Sansonnet vineyard covers 7 hectares, planted in a single continuous plot around the château atop the Saint-Émilion plateau. The grape variety blend is predominantly Merlot (85%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (8%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (7%). The average vine age is 35 years. The terroir features a thin layer of clay over a limestone plateau. Viticultural practices include leaf stripping, yield management, and manual harvesting. The estate does not practice biodynamics.

Flagship cuvées

The estate's primary cuvée is Château Sansonnet. This red wine displays an intense ruby colour with aromas of morello cherry and blackcurrant. On the palate, it delivers fine tannins and ripe fruit flavours. The second wine of the estate is Envol de Sansonnet, described as approachable, fruity, and quickly finding its balance.