Château de Vimont

The integration of people with disabilities in the wine work

The Château de Vimont (GRAVES) was created in 2005 during the purchase in January of the same year the Château Perin de Naudine (GRAVES) by the association “Les Ateliers Saint-Joseph.”

What is “St. Joseph’s Workshop“?

St. Joseph’s Workshop is a combination that joins two ESAT (Establishment or Service through Work), an accommodation unit and two support services to society. The origin of this association dates back to 1931 with the reception by a Catholic sister of handicaped children and with great difficulties. The ESAT is based in Bordeaux (33) and Castres (Gironde).

St. Joseph Workshops are intended to help with intellectual disabilities and / or mentally ill to integrate into society through work people. They also provide these people with disabilities support in social life (housing, becoming independent … etc..).

Currently St. Joseph Workshops provide wine service to many wineries in the region as for example the Château Smith Haut Lafitte, or Château de Malle.

“We try to find the skills / qualities of each one” and “learn their wine crafting as a result.” (Christophe Jussier oenologist, workshop manager and technical director)

Christophe Jussier (œnologue, chef d’atelier et directeur technique)

“Solidarity, sharing practices / time / knowledge and respect both men and nature” are the key words that best describe this unusual winery.

What is sought each year?

To promote the product “is brought into the quality of work but also that all the work in the property is done by the disabled workers. Regarding the development of the wine itself “we wish to better exploit our land and making his expression a priority. There is a bit of austerity our Graves area, and fruit. The wines of Château de Vimont are fairly bodied.”

Where does the name “Château de Vimont” comes from?

The name “Vimont” was given on the redemption of the Château Perin de Naudine tribute to Magdalene Vimont, a volunteer at the origin of the association “Les Ateliers Saint-Joseph.”

Side anecdote:

St. Joseph’s Workshop, in addition to producing wine under the label Château de Vimont also produces fruit jams. But they do not only produce one or two flavors but nearly 27 different flavors!