Château Belles-Graves
Welcome to the Château Belles-Graves! A beautiful property perched on the heights of Lalande de Pomerol.
Historically we can find traces of the presence of vines in the 15th century. The building, dates from the 16th century but was renovated, redesigned and enlarged during the 18th century.
Formerly it was known as the Chateau Drouilleau, because of the place where the vineyard is located, the property was renamed “Château Belles-Graves” when it was bought in 1939 by the family Theallet-Piton (current owners).
Why “Château Belles-Graves“? Simply, because its relation with the vineyards of the estate consists mostly of graves.
Presently the grand son is who is at the helm Belles-Graves. He was always more or less destined to take the family estate, he defines himself as “fallen into it since he was little.”
Meanwhile, he wanted to see other worlds, and at the end of high school , he studies Greek and Latin. However, because of the waves of the family history, he will return to the property more quickly than expected.
How does he describes his job? As a business that has evolved over the past two decades, becoming increasingly complicated as the increased administrative requirements.” Currently, a winemaker spends virtually more time in the papers than in the vineyard. Formerly it was a trade of the vine grower and the process of grapes. Today it must take also the management, the administration, the commerce, and communication. ”
His leitmotif? We find two. First “The customer´s respect by respecting the signature of the castle” that is to say that the customer finds what characterizes Chateau Belles-Graves‘ wines. But also to be as less “intrusive” as possible in the manufacturing process … leaving Mother Nature do her work.
Sure! why try to artificially reproduce what nature does naturally?! (I like that:-))
How does he explain his passion? He does not explain it, “it’s genetic,” the Belles-Graves in his blood since his childhood.
Some features:
- 17 hectares including 14 hectares in one piece
- In farming
- Soil: gravelly soil typical of the appellation, but related, in some plots with clay or sand
- Grape varieties: Merlot 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% (the proportions are found in both wine)
- Wines: The first wine: Château Belles-Graves, the second wine: Les terrasses de Belles-Graves
- Aging: For the first wine, 12 months in oak barrels of which 25% new oak and 25% of tanks. Regarding the 2nd wine it was 100% in vats.
- Has good exposure in “arc” South, East and West
Side project: In order to always better accommodate visitors, the Chateau Belles-Graves has recently adopted a new extension designed around the idea of wine tourism and conference room.
The anecdote: The current owner´s grandfather (Jean Theallet) was a first cousin of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Together they spent their childhood in the property and then continued there to share many moments of joy. The famous sailor, wine lover and especially of the Château Belles-Graves, took several bottles of the family estate on his famous boat: “The Calypso”.A special cuvée called “Calypso” was created in 2010 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jacques Cousteau 🙂
The property offers a guest room service. Panoramic views of the Chateau Petrus, the lake, and generally of the campaign Libourne are scheduled.
A good place to remember for lovers willing for a romantic weekend 😉
Thanks to Xavier Piton for the warm welcome.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Chateau Belles-Graves
33500 Néac
+33 (0) 5 57 51 09 61
x.piton@beautiful-graves.com
