Roy-Trocard Vineyards
Château Jeandeman, Château Mancèdre, Château Laborde and « La Piecelle »
A family of winemakers since 1628
The history of Roy Trocard vineyards more than just a case of wine, is mainly the history of one of the oldest family wine growers of the region. In fact, the current owner is Jean Trocard form the 15th generation of Trocards winemakers in Bordeaux.
With such a past we can’t doubt for one second about the expertise and thorough knowledge of the family business!
The Vineyards Roy-Trocard consist of four properties: The Château Mancèdre, The Chateau Jeandeman, The Château Laborde and La Piecelle.
Meeting around a glass of wine with Bénédicte Trocard
This week I suggest you go to meet Benedicte Trocard, wife of John Trocard. Even if on the contrary Jean has not been cradled in the world of wine, she felt a great “passion” for wine since a very young age.
Being a student in commerce she followed tasting courses. However, she began her career in a different field from more than 15 years between France and abroad. It was in 1997 that Benedicte met the man who would become her husband, Jean Trocard. In 2001 she decided to leave her job to return to one of her first loves: wine and also engage fully in the side of Jean Trocard. Wishing to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to work on the property in 2002 she entered in the Faculty of Oenology of Bordeaux for the DUAD (University Graduation for tasting capacity).
Today in addition to his property is also a trainer at the Wine School of CIVB (Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bordeaux) which allows her to transmit her passion to other people.
How would you describe in a few words, a winemaker?
“The winegrower is a job fully related to agricultural nature. The product that we produce, wine, is the fruit of the earth, the sky and the passion of man.
In addition, we have a very special relationship to time in relation to other professions. The first time climate: we are totally dependent on climatic conditions of the vintage. Time as life also: time farming is a much long that requires patience in a world where everything happens very quickly. It takes almost three years to produce a red guard. It took us 20 years to rebuild the vineyard Mancèdre. We create one product per year. Finally, throughout our lives, from 25 to 70 years, we have only 45 test shots! ”
Quick focus on the Chateau Mancèdre (Pessac Leognan), a “Tom Thumb” surrounded by Grand Cru Classé de Graves
The Mancèdre vineyard was time grandparents, managed poly-farming. Following the freeze of 1956 the vineyard was abandoned and left fallow. It was in 1997 that Jean Trocard, taking over the management of the family farm after having followed his studies in biochemistry and DUAD rediscovering the potential of this region decided to exit this state-owned fallow. He then launched into a large progressive rehabilitation work of the vineyard, planting and building a cellar and a chest. (Nb: I invite you to watch the video on the left)
Where do the names of the properties come from?
Before Roy-owned vineyards Trocard the Château Jeandeman was a property in the 19th century of a trade man named Jean Chollet. Initially the area was called “ESCOTEBISE” which means “listen to the wind” in Gascon. Name probably due to the fact that this vineyard is located on the “sacred hill of the region” (as Henri Enjalbert famous geographer wine) and therefore is exposed to wind.
The former owner of the castle marketed much of its wine Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg). The Reputation surpassed that of his domain name, and the name was difficult to pronounce in Gascon by the Flemish, then the castle was commonly known under the name “Jan De Man” (John Man). Over time the castle was renamed in flamingo and its name to become Frenchified Chateau Jeandeman.
Regarding the Château Laborde name comes simply from the fact that the property is on the rise in the town said Laborde de Lalande-de-Pomerol.
The micro vineyard “La Piecelle” owes its name to its small size (1ha).Its name means “small piece.” Which, given its size justifies its name.
As at Chateau Mancèdre its name from one of its plots.
What is your motto when creating your wine?
“Our wines are best known for our work on the tannic structure and the accuracy / finesse assemblies. We do not want to make wines that are ‘bodybuilders’ “which can’t drink a single glass of wine but wines that are made to be drunk” wines that are fun to enjoy throughout the meal. Gourmet wines, complex and balanced. ”
Side anecdote:
For the story the Château Laborde is always transmitted by women and this Trocard until John. The “tradition” has a great chance to continue considering the fact that he is the father of three daughters. Certainly a castle for the women!
Side project:
The Trocard family would produce a white Pessac Leognan. For this it has three acres of free land to Mancèdre with which is quite suitable for white wine. It therefore launched two years ago in the progressive clearing and planting vines on this space. Currently one hectare of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon 70 acres were planted in plots term white should cover three hectares.
Thanks to Benedicte Trocard for her hospitality.
Château Mancèdre
Chemin des Bougès
33850 Léognan
05.57.74.30.52
