Château Terrasson

Identity

Château Terrasson is a winegrowing estate located in Puisseguin. It is owned and managed by Alix and Gérald Standley.

History and Philosophy

The history of Château Terrasson has been shaped by centuries of heritage and transmission. Among the notable figures who have left their mark on its history, François-Yves Carosin des Landelles is recorded. The estate experienced a revival in 2020 when Alix and Gérald Standley took over the vineyard, opening a fresh chapter in its story. The first vintage under their stewardship was produced in 2020. The estate embraces a philosophy of organic winemaking driven by artisan winegrowers, with a keen interest in unconventional approaches to viticulture and vinification. They are members of the Bordeaux Pirates collective, championing fresh, atypical, and modern wines, and follow a guiding principle that encourages them to work "off the beaten track".

Appellations

The red wines of Château Terrasson are crafted under the Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation. Certain plots also fall under the Bordeaux Côtes de Francs appellation. The estate's website references the Castillon and Francs (Bordeaux) appellations.

Practical Information

Château Terrasson is located at 3 route de Gasguerie, 33570 Puisseguin. The estate can be contacted by telephone at 05 57 40 58 08 or by email at contact@chateauterrasson.com. The cellar door is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Tastings are offered at the property, alongside visits by appointment. Mail-order sales are also available.

Find Out More

Official website of the estate

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard at Château Terrasson covers a planted surface area of 9 hectares. The estate's soils are clay-limestone on bedrock. In 2007, the average vine age was around forty years. The estate is committed to organic and biodynamic farming, achieving AB / EUROFEUILLE certification in 2023. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand. The red grape varieties comprise 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc. For white wines, the planting is 100% Sémillon. In 2007, grass cover was established on alternating rows. Annual production stands at approximately 35,000 bottles.

Key Cuvées

Château Terrasson offers a diverse range of wines. Among the red cuvées, there is a classic wine under the Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation. The estate also produces a whole-cluster fermented red wine, marketed under the name "L'Oxymore". For white wines, a cuvée is crafted from 100% Sémillon. Another offering is a skin-contact wine, also 100% Sémillon, often referred to as an orange wine. A distinct bottling, Cuvée Prévenche, is also produced. The estate offers a unique creation named "La Terrassonnette en Terrasse (T.T.)", described as fresh and invigorating. In 1997, Château Terrasson produced a still red wine.

Vinification and Ageing

Winemaking at Château Terrasson is characterised by the use of indigenous yeasts, extended macerations, and a low-intervention approach with minimal added sulphur. The estate employs four qvevris—buried terracotta amphorae—for some of its vinifications. In 1997, the wines underwent ageing in vat.