The history of Pressac Castle
The link between time and the vine
Located above the riverDordogneand the hillsides ofSaint-Émilion, the story ofPressac Castledate of more thansix centuries.Moreover, his name was given to a grape variety after he was mentioned in theHistory of France. THEPressac Castlewas founded atMiddle AgesIt was only around1740thatVassal of Montvielproceeds to plant a noble grape variety, theAuxerroisThis grape variety would soon become known asNoir de PressacThe gentlemanMalbekhe then developed it intoMedocand will be nicknamedMalbec.
Having survived through generations and undergone significant renovations, thePressac Castleis finally bought in1997byJean-François and Dominique QueninIt's in1999that the winery is being redesigned and renovated, and the hillsides are being cultivated again in narrow terraces.2012,THEPressac Castleis recognized for the excellence of its terroir, vineyards and wines and is promotedGrand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion.
The vineyard of Château de Pressac
The link between time and the vine
The terroir of the vineyard ofPressac CastleIt offers the best conditions for the vines to flourish. Composed mainly ofThe soil, composed of limestone and clay, is also exposed to a microclimate.
The vineyard is laid out all around theCastle, and extends over an area of41 hectaresIt alone encompasses the three main types of terroir of the appellation:The limestone plateau, the clay-limestone hillside and the silty foot of the slope. All are equally distributed across the property.
This terroir ofPressac CastleThanks to its rich characteristics, it concentrates its production around six grape varieties. It is, in fact, the onlyGrand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilionto gather around so many grape varieties:Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Noir de Pressac (Malbec), and Petit Verdot.
Furthermore, thePressac Castleholds the certification ofHigh Environmental Valueoflevel 3and applies the system ofEnvironmental Managementsince its creation.
Winemaking and aging at Château de Pressac
Perfectionism in the winemaking approach
ForJean-François and Dominique QueninIt is important to always strive for improvement. For more than twenty years, the vineyard has undergone numerous plantings and expansions, always with an environmental and sustainable focus.
The precisionin theknow-howThis is therefore what is valued atPressac CastleThe harvest is therefore carried out by hand and combined with density sorting, which retains only the highest quality grapes and removes all floating debris (leaves, insects, etc.). As for the vatting, it is done by gravity, which helps to preserve the optimal integrity of each berry.
Once again, the concern is perfection. That's why in1999The winery was redesigned once, and a second winemaking cellar was built in2012, then a third winemaking cellar and a second aging cellar in2017have also been considered.
