Château La Croizille
A Saint-Emilion property turned toward the wine-tourism
Photo ©Jean-Pierre Lamarque/Sté DE MOUR’
Château La Croizille is a family-owned winery of Saint-Emilion and more exactly in the town of Saint-Laurent des Combes in Saint-Emilion Grand Cru AOP. It was acquired in 1996 by the family De Schepper. Far from being a novice in the area the family already had a wine-trading business in Belgium and five properties in Bordeaux: Château La Croizille (Saint-Emilion Grand Cru), Château Tour Baladoz (Saint-Emilion Grand Cru) Château Haut Breton Larigaudière (Margaux) Château Tayet (Bordeaux Supérieur), Chateau Lacombe Cadiot (Bordeaux Supérieur).
In the early 2000s the family De Schepper decided to renovate Château La Croizille starting with the vineyard will be completely redefined (uprooting, replanting, construction of vines terraces on hillsides).
In 2012, at the end of the construction of the new winery (working by gravity, work by plot…) the property opened to the public, signaling its desire to one of the great Saint-Emilion wines. The building is the work of architects Philippe Cordier and Marie-Sylvie Gary-Delfaut.
“There are two barrel cellar (a first semi-buried and a second cellar at the first level), a room for seminars, a tasting room and a wineshop. The wine tourism activity is thought not to hinder the production tool. That there really is something unique about us is the panoramic view of the vineyard as you can see from the tasting room.
The building make remember the terroir. The black stone base represents the rock and it is topped by a white wall representing the limestone found in our soil/terroir. This difference of color and material reduces the proportions of the building and gives it a human scale.” (Hélène De Schepper)
These numerous efforts are paying off, as this year the property was awarded a Best Of Wine Tourism category “Wine Tourism Services” and an International Best of Wine Tourism Adward in Mendoza (Argentina) the same year. (More information here)
Where does the name of Château La Croizille come from ?
“Quite simply the name of a parcel of vines of the property.” (Hélène De Schepper)
Focus on Hélène De Schepper, owner of Château La Croizille
“For two years I worked here in the vineyards of my family (Croizille Château, Château Tour Baladoz). I am in charge of winetourism and communication. I made communication studies and then I started working in Belgium but I always had the idea in mind to come to work with the family.
We often came to Saint-Emilion, during the harvest, and I really liked the area. In 2010, after my studies I came here to help for vinification and two years later I chose to join the family business and I cam to settle in Bordeaux with my husband. My family also has a wine trading business in Belgium. Before coming to the Château Croizille I have worked in this field with them.
Since arriving we worked a lot on the reception. The building is a great productive tool but also a great wine tourism tool.” (Hélène De Schepper)
If you had to describe the property and its wines in a few words what would you say?
“I would say: Family, alliance tradition and modernity, extraordinary wines, long finish, always in search of excellence.” (Hélène De Schepper)
What allows recognizing the wine of Château La Croizille in a tasting?
“We have a vineyard planted to 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. The plots are located on calcareous clay Saint-Emilion southern hillsides which allows us to have good maturities. Our soil brings a nice freshness and length. The ageing brings pleasant notes of roasting. Our wine have much substance.” (Hélène De Schepper)
For me, the texture, the harmony, the good tension characterize wines of Château La Croizille. There is often a touch of salinity in mouth.
Side story:
Photo ©Jean-Pierre Lamarque/Sté DE MOUR’
“During the construction of the winery we came across a water well. According to experts and after analyzing it seems that the well was built there 450 years. It was not planned. We wondered if we were going to keep it. Finally we decided to make the necessary changes in order to preserve the well. It gives to the visit a historical side. It has been fully integrated into the storehouse posing over a glass plate and illuminating the interior.” (Hélène De Schepper)
Thanks to Helene De Schepper for the hospitality.
Château La Croizille
Lieu dit Baldoz
33330 Saint-Laurent des Combes
+33 (0)5 57 74 55 86
