At Château Cazebonne, the quality of our wines is rooted in an exceptional terroir and meticulous work in the vineyard, as we have always maintained. However, once the grapes have been harvested with the utmost care, it is in the heart of our cellar that the magic of transformation takes place. The cellar is not merely a technical facility; it represents the extension of our philosophy, a space where tradition meets innovation to reveal the purest expression of our Bordeaux terroirs.

The cellar, a meeting place for tradition and innovation

The cellar is where all post-harvest steps take place, from the arrival of the grapes to bottling. It is the beating heart of vinification, where every technical decision, every tool used, and every observation help to shape the wine. This process is a delicate alchemy, where the human hand guides nature to transform a simple fruit into a complex and living elixir. The main objective is to preserve the intrinsic quality of the grape and elevate it into wine, respecting its origins and developing its unique characteristics.

The complex dance of vinification over the months

The schedule of cellar operations is strongly linked to the vine cycle and oenological choices. The reception of the harvest takes place between late August and early October, followed by the pre-fermentation phases. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations generally run from September to November. Next comes the maturation period, which can last from a few months to several years, depending on the desired wine profile. Finally, bottling occurs, often in the spring or autumn following maturation.

From bunch to bottle: the key steps

After the harvest, the grapes arrive at the cellar and are destemmed and/or crushed before being vatted. This is followed by the alcoholic fermentation phase, where yeasts transform sugars into alcohol. Operations such as pumping over or lees stirring are carried out to extract colour and aromas. After fermentation, red wines undergo malolactic fermentation. They are then racked to separate the lees, before beginning their maturation. This maturation can take place in vats (concrete, stainless steel), amphorae, or oak barrels, until bottling.

Essential cellar equipment

The cellar equipment is varied and technological. It includes reception bins, destemmers and crushers, mechanical, pneumatic or vertical presses, pumps for transferring musts and wines, and a variety of vats of different sizes and materials (stainless steel, concrete, wood). For maturation, oak barrels, terracotta amphorae or foudres can be used. Each element is chosen for its specific role in respecting the fruit and the desired development of the wine.

Adapting vinification: organic methods and tradition

As part of our organic approach, we favour vinification methods that minimise inputs and respect the natural expression of the terroir. This translates to a sparing use of sulphur, a preference for indigenous yeasts, and a gentle extraction of tannins. Controlling fermentation temperatures is essential to preserve the delicacy of the aromas, and maturation is carried out in a way that magnifies complexity without masking the fruit. These choices reflect our commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture.

The uniqueness of Château Cazebonne wines

At Château Cazebonne, our cellar is the stage for constantly renewed creativity, where we explore different maturation and vinification techniques to reveal the full personality of our cuvées. In addition to our traditional wines, we are committed to promoting the forgotten grape varieties of Bordeaux, replanting these historic varieties that bring a unique aromatic diversity. This work is made possible thanks to the support of wine lovers who have embraced our wines and share our vision, allowing us to bring this heritage back to life. To deepen your knowledge, the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" is an excellent resource, and you can also test your knowledge with our quizzes. Come and discover the expression of our terroir and the fruit of our passion by visiting our online shop.