Domaine des Palmiers
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Château Fraigneau, a family-owned winegrowing estate in Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, is certified organic. Managed by Léo Baillet, it cultivates Sémillon and Sauvignon, predominantly from old vines.
Identity
Château Fraigneau is located in the commune of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, in the Gironde department. This family-owned estate is run by Léo Baillet, who also oversees the winemaking.
History and philosophy
Château Fraigneau is a family wine estate dating back to 1800. Today, it is managed by Léo Baillet. The estate is dedicated to environmentally friendly viticulture, as shown by its organic certification (AB label / EU Organic Leaf).
Appellations
Château Fraigneau produces wines under the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont and Bordeaux Blanc appellations.
Practical information
Château Fraigneau is situated at 17, lieu-dit Larrivat, 33410 Sainte-Croix-du-Mont.
Wines can be purchased directly at the property or ordered for delivery. The estate offers visits by appointment. For information or bookings, contact the property on 05 56 62 00 41 or by email at vignobles.fraigneau@gmail.com.
Find out more
Official estate websiteFrequently asked questions
- Where is Château Fraigneau located and which appellations does it produce?
- Château Fraigneau is situated in Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, in the Bordeaux wine region. The estate produces wines under the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont appellation (sweet white wines) and the Bordeaux Blanc appellation (dry white wines).
- What are the characteristics of the Château Fraigneau vineyard?
- The vineyard spans 12 hectares, with vines averaging 70 years of age. It is planted mainly with Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc for white wines, alongside a small parcel of Merlot and Cabernet Franc for reds. Soils range from sandy gravel over limestone to clay-gravel and clay-limestone.
- Is Château Fraigneau committed to sustainable practices?
- Yes, Château Fraigneau is certified organic (AB label / EU Organic Leaf). The estate follows practices that protect the soils and terroir, and all grapes are harvested by hand.
- What are the main cuvées produced by Château Fraigneau?
- The estate produces a dry Bordeaux Blanc made predominantly from Sémillon. Its sweet wines include cuvées such as Dupin, Mourlanne, Labat, and Ostrica, crafted primarily from Sémillon, with some vines up to 120 years old. The white cuvées are aged in Burgundy oak barrels.
The vineyard (terroir)
The Château Fraigneau vineyard covers a planted surface area of 12 hectares, with 11.5 hectares devoted to white grape varieties and 0.5 hectares to red grape varieties. The average age of the vines is around 70 years, with some plots reaching up to 120 years old. The white grape variety mix is predominantly Sémillon (90%) and Sauvignon Blanc (10%). For the reds, plantings consist of Merlot (95%) and Cabernet Franc (5%).
Vineyard soils vary depending on the plot: the Labat cuvée comes from sandy gravel over a limestone subsoil with a south-westerly exposure; the Mourlanne cuvée is grown on clay-gravel with a northern exposure; and the Dupin cuvée is situated on south-east-facing clay-limestone soils.
Viticultural methods focus on respecting the soils and terroir, and harvests are carried out entirely by hand.
Flagship cuvées
The estate offers several cuvées, most notably sweet white wines under the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont appellation. Among the dry white wines is "Blanc de Sémillon", made from Sémillon.
The cuvées "Dupin", "Mourlanne", "Labat", and "Ostrica" are also produced. The Dupin cuvée blends Sauvignon and Sémillon from century-old vines (120 years old for Sémillon, 120 years old for Sauvignon). The Mourlanne, Labat, and Ostrica cuvées are crafted from Sémillon sourced from 90-year-old vines. These cuvées are certified organic.
Vinification and ageing
Ageing of the white cuvées takes place in Burgundy oak barrels.
- Appellation
- Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
- Commune
- Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
- Wine region
- Entre-deux-Mers
- Owner
- Léo Baillet
- Technical direction
- Léo Baillet
- Surface area
- 12 ha
- Certifications
- Bio
- Grape varieties
- Sémillon 90%, Sauvignon Blanc 10%, Merlot 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%
Practical information
- Address
- 17, lieu-dit Larrivat, 33410 SAINTE-CROIX-DU-MONT
- Phone
- 05 56 62 00 41
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- Oui sur rendez-vous