Château Fontbaude
Spanish influences in the AOC Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux
The Château Fontbaude is a family property located in “Saint Magne de Castillon” city, in AOC Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux. It was created in 1968 by François Sabaté, son of a Spanish refugee who followed his father in flight from his native country in 1939. Indeed being a republican it was not a good idea for him to stay in Franquist Spain at the time.
Upon his arrival in France, François Sabaté held various positions in the wine estates in the region, working in the vineyards as well as wineries.
It was in 1968 that the Sabaté family took the opportunity to have its own domain and acquired this small property which was originally extended only on 3.80 hectares of vines. As at the time the vineyard of Château Fontbaude was expanded to 20 hectares as today count.
Currently the property is managed by the sons of the founder, Mr. Christian and Yannick Sabaté. The first, from a wine training takes care of all the wine part. The second, Yannick, oenologist handles all the administrative part. Important decisions concerning winemaking and assemblies are made jointly.
Where does the name “Château Fontbaude” comes from?
The name of the chateau has its origins in the place called “Fontbaude” which means “beautiful fountain”. Indeed in this place there were two water wells.
Yannick Sabaté, how do you see your winegrower?
The winegrower’s a job that “must be chosen vocation” because it is a profession that requires to “involve” as much time to devote level and at the level of interest. In fact when it comes to a passion it is not uncommon to devote more of his time working his spare time and much of the conversation. But it is also a “rewarding” job that is to say “we are led to a lot of meetings” (visitors, professionals or other tenants) regularly. But it is “enriching” also because “we work in close contact with nature.“
In his view “what distinguishes a wine maker from a farmer is the multiplicity of tasks, to have knowledge, technology and uncertainty mind of the winemaker throughout the year on the final result “.
What is the guideline to follow when creating your wines?
“We are looking for an expression of our terroir, freshness and no big tannic structure. Our limestone soil on the hillside brings us a little more acidity than can ‘classically’ find. But it allows us to fine wines with freshness, in difficult vintages. What is most important is respect for the adequacy ground / soil / grape varieties. ”
The anecdote of the week
One of the wines of the property is called “Le Pélerin(‘pilgrim’ in English) de Fontbaude.” This name was given by the son of Christian and nephew Yannick Sabaté who made the pilgrimage to Saint Jacques de Compostela. On the way he noticed that almost no property on the road was developed in honor of the wine route steeped in history.
On his return he spoke to his father and uncle decided together to create this new edition which contains all the content is in the image of this journey. The label proudly displays the saint Jacques shell, the cross and the pilgrim. The content itself is a light wine, fun, quite fruity and easy to access. A wine ultimately means sharing …. a bit like meeting made along the way.
Thanks to the Sabaté family for her hospitality.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Château Fontbaude
34 rue de l’église
33350 Saint Magne De Castillon
France
Tél : 05 57 40 06 58
Fax : 05 57 40 26 54
