Château de France & Château Coquillas
a Pessac-Léognan quality that has nothing to envy to Grands Crus Classé
The Château de France is a property that was built on the foundations of the old mansion “Gardère” which later will be called tenement (depending on a manor farm, meeting of land and buildings in one piece) of France. Le Château also retains the name.
The wine history of the property began in the sixteenth century with the gathering of agricultural and viticultural land by Messrs, Dubasque Marseau and Jean de Latreilles. But it was only with the arrival of Mr. Taffard in the eighteenth century, who was then Adviser to the Parliament of Guyenne, that the vineyards of Bordeaux Château de France actually developed and share in the conquest of nobility (the property appeared elsewhere on the map Belleyme the 18th century). These will be acquired and unanimously recognized in 1850 with the official appearance of the Château de France in the Guide Feret, the famous wine book which referred to the time.
It was only in 1971 that the Thomassin family arrived at the Chateau de France. Bernard Thomassin, a farmer in the Paris area heard about this property for sale in the Graves region. Seeing the potential of the region and with the desire to transform the wine he acquired the property. He then embarked on a major renovation of the means of production in the vineyard. Mr. Enjalbert will even tell in his book History of the Vine and Wine ‘: “The campaigns by this enterprising and stubborn owner must allow the Château de France to regain the prestige and reputation it had in the nineteenth and to wear such beautiful, especially in foreign markets, such a beautiful name “.
Currently the vineyard is owned by Arnaud Thomassin, the son of Bernard Thomassin, advised by the oenologist Michel Rolland.
Arnaud Thomassin at studied a BTS in wine oenology but also gained experience at different stages in the vineyards in France which notemment two years in Beaujolais. Following the departure of the manager of the Château de France He will return in 1994 to the family property and to seize the opportunity and thus assist his father as Technical Director of operations.
Where does the name of the Château de France comes from as well as the different vintages?
Starting with the most simple: Château de France. Its name comes from just the name of the locality.
Regarding the Château Coquillas explaining the geological name. Indeed the basement plots used to prepare the Château Coquillas abounds with fossil shells and other small marine animals.
For Cuvée ‘Bec-en-Sabot’ name was found by the father of Arnaud Thomassin, birdwatcher. When reading a book on the subject he discovered the existence of this bird and fell in love with the name but also the animal. So naturally he chose to give the name ‘Bec-en-sabot‘ to this wine.
How would you describe your business in a few words?
“Patient” because “we plant for future generations,” but also because of how wine is made in a year, seeing if there are aging…
“Complete” because “we’re going local consumers through the work the vineyards, winemaking, administrative and selling part.”
“Precision“. Each work on the vines, harvest, tanks or even the choice of barrels is critical to the final result. For example the choice coopers, wood heaters and barrels (see articles on Nadalié or Seguin Moreau) must perform tests and regular tastings to know what will bring the “best” result.
What is sought each year?
“We try to focus on the fruit. We focus on producing wines without extraction, without harshness.” But also “to continually increasing quality through various green work. ”
Side anecdote:
The Château de France was the victim in July 2011, the day after a Vinexpo dinner in the cellars of the property, of a fire completely destroyed the chest of the property. To extinguish the fire that destroyed the tanks, masonry and framing over sixty firefighters were called to control the fire disaster. Fortunately, once arrived there the priority of firefighters was to protect the reserve bottle and the barrel cellar.
Following this and the impossibility to rebuild time and the need to find a way to continue to make wine, many properties in the region did show solidarity. Some offering agricultural equipment, others like the Château Haut-Bailly and Chateau Haut Gardere put at the disposal Château de France of wine vats.
Currently Arnaud Thomassin is working on the full completion of the construction project. Work should begin in June 2013.
Thanks to Arnaud Thomassin for his hospitality.
Château de France
98 Route De Mont De Marsan
33850 Léognan
+33 (0)5.56.64.75.39
