Vignoble Tinon

Identity

Vignoble Tinon is a family-owned estate located in the commune of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, in Gironde. It is currently managed by the fourth generation of the Bridet-Tinon family.

History and philosophy

The property’s winegrowing history dates back to the 18th century. The acquisition of Château La Grave by the Bridet family in 1929 marked a significant milestone. At the time, the estate covered 12 hectares, 5 of which were dedicated to the production of sweet white wine. In 1970, the third generation of the Bridet-Tinon family took over the running of the estate. In 1977, the 5 hectares of Château Grand Peyrot were added to the holdings. The vineyard has undertaken regular replanting programmes since the 2000s.

Appellations

Vignoble Tinon produces wines primarily under the Sainte-Croix-du-Mont appellation for sweet wines and Bordeaux for red wines. All plots are located within the commune of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont.

Winemaking and ageing

The sweet wines are crafted from botrytised grapes affected by noble rot, fostered by the region's specific climatic conditions, particularly the morning mists rising from the Garonne.

Practical information

The tasting cellar is open on weekdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Weekend visits are available by appointment. For any enquiries, the estate can be contacted by email at contact@vignobletinon.fr.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The vineyard spans 25 hectares, all situated within the commune of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont. White grape varieties, dedicated to the production of sweet wines, are predominant.

Château La Grave sits on soils composed of ochre-coloured clay and small rounded pebbles. Deeper down, iron-rich alios (iron-pan) boulders lie beneath layers of gravel ranging from 50 cm to 2 metres in depth. This terroir promotes early grape ripening. In 2010, a parcel of Sémillon was replanted here. The sweet wines produced at Château La Grave are renowned for their fruity, vibrant character.

The soils at Château Grand Peyrot are clay-limestone, rich in fossils—notably small snails—bearing witness to a geological formation dating back some 20 million years. These soils lie in the continuation of the fossilised oyster bed of Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, on the first slope overlooking the Garonne. A parcel was replanted in 2009 on limestone soil, with 90-centimetre vine spacing and trained in cordon pruning. Since the 2000s, Sauvignon gris (rose) has also been planted. Château Grand Peyrot produces concentrated wines with an unctuous texture and a fresh finish.

Across the entire vineyard, permanent grass cover every second row is maintained for soil management. The proximity of the Garonne, a source of morning mists, is a key factor in encouraging noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which is essential for sweet wine production.

Flagship cuvées

The estate offers two sweet wines. These include Château La Grave in AOC Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, produced across several vintages including the 2014 “Sentiers d'Automne” and the 2015. These sweet wines are crafted from grapes brought to full over-ripeness, fostered by noble rot.