At Château Cazebonne, the "Vin de France" category is not a default appellation, but a true artistic approach and an expression of our creative freedom. It is the playground where we can explore uncharted paths, go off the beaten track and offer you cuvées that shake up conventions, whilst remaining deeply rooted in our estate's ethics.

We choose the Vin de France appellation when we grow grape varieties which, although historically present in Aquitaine, are no longer authorised by the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Bordeaux specifications. This approach allows us to rehabilitate forgotten varieties, which carry an aromatic richness and a fascinating history. As Jean-Baptiste Duquesne points out in his book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages" (Éditions BBD), the Bordeaux vineyard was once much more diverse. Thanks to this appellation, we are rediscovering this lost diversity. We also choose it when our winemaking methods, often experimental and bold, distance us from the typicality traditionally expected of a Bordeaux wine. Spontaneous fermentations, unconventional ageing, prolonged skin macerations for the whites... So many techniques that we master to achieve a singular expression of the fruit and the terroir.

These "Vins de France" are the embodiment of our curiosity and our constant desire to innovate. Each bottle is a promise of astonishment, a tasting journey off the beaten track, where the wine's personality takes precedence over conformity. They are designed for enlightened enthusiasts, those who seek authenticity and surprise, and who appreciate the singularity of a wine born from respectful agriculture and passionate craftsmanship.

The philosophy behind our "Vin de France" cuvées

The Vin de France appellation gives us the necessary flexibility to reintroduce grape varieties that have disappeared from Bordeaux, yet which have marked the region's viticultural history. It is a way of recovering the ampelographic diversity of yesteryear, a richness often eclipsed by the dominance of classic grape varieties.

A return to the roots of Bordeaux grape varieties

Our approach is part of a desire to promote the vineyard's genetic heritage. Grape varieties such as Béquignol, Carménère">Carménère, or Folle blanche, although less common today, possessed at the time intrinsic qualities that deserve to be rediscovered. This freedom of blending allows us to create unique cuvées, reflecting an unexploited history and potential.

Bold winemaking techniques

Beyond the choice of grape varieties, the Vin de France appellation allows us to explore innovative and unconventional winemaking methods for the region. This includes spontaneous fermentations, prolonged macerations, or alternative ageing.
These technical choices, far from the beaten track of the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, allow us to highlight atypical aromatic profiles and textures, thus offering a new reading of the Bordeaux terroir. The goal is to draw upon the richness of the fruit and the minerality of the soil to create wines of great personality, capable of surprising and enchanting the most demanding palates.

This meticulous work of replanting grape varieties that had disappeared from the Bordeaux landscape is a long-term project, made possible by the unfailing support of the many enthusiasts who have adopted our wines and share our vision. It is thanks to your trust that we can continue to revive this precious viticultural heritage.

At Château Cazebonne, we are proud of this approach which honours our past whilst looking towards the future, offering a diversity of wines for all tastes. To deepen your knowledge of the fascinating history of Bordeaux grape varieties and understand the importance of our approach, we invite you to receive the digital version of the book "Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages". Feel free to also test your knowledge with our oenological quizzes, or to discover all of our cuvées and experience unique tasting moments by ordering them directly from our online shop. Or else for surprising discoveries of grape varieties from elsewhere.