Château de Pressac

The history of Château de Pressac

Château de Pressac was built in the Middle Ages, and still bears the mark of this period on its surrounding gate. Over time, it was fortified several times. It played a predominant role in 1453, when it hosted the surrender of the Battle of Castillon, which marked the end of the Cens Ans War.

Between 1737 and 1747, Vassal de Montviel imported a noble grape variety from Quercy. It adapted so well that it quickly became known as Noir de Pressac. The grape was then developed by Sieur Malbek throughout the Médoc, earning it the nickname Malbec.

In 1775, Château de Pressac was bought by Sieur Anglade, who ran the vineyards. The building was surrounded by a moat and fortifications. When Maximin Josselin bought it in 1860, he set about renovating the Château de Pressac.

In 1997, Dominique and Jean-François Quenin became the new owners. They restructured the vineyard. Whereas the steep slopes were once worked with oxen, the vines are now terraced. The Quenins continued the work with the renovation of the winery in 1999.

In 2012, the excellence of Château de Pressac's wine is recognized and rewarded by its promotion to Grand Cru Classé de Saint Émilion.

The Château de Pressac vineyard

Château de Pressac overlooks the Dordogne valley and the Saint Émilion hillsides from its limestone promontory. The soil is ideal for growing vines, as is the microclimate, which helps the fruit to flourish.

The Château de Pressac vineyard covers 41 hectares in a single block. It is divided into three types of terroir of roughly equal surface area, representative of the Saint Emilion appellation: the silty, clay-limestone pied de côte, the clay-limestone hillside that surrounds the hill, and the limestone plateau.

Château de Pressac is the only Saint Émilion Grand Cru Classé to be made from 6 grape varieties: Noir de Pressac (Malbec), Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Carménère.

The vineyard is managed according to the Environmental Management System method, which has earned it HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) level 3 certification.

The wines of Château de Pressac

Château de Pressac produces 3 wines, 2 reds and 1 rosé.

- Château de Pressac - Grand Cru Classé Saint Émilion - Red
Blend of Noir de Pressac, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Carménère.

- Château Tour de Pressac - Saint Émilion Grand Cru - Red
A blend of Noir de Pressac, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère.

- La Rosée du Château de Pressac - Bordeaux Rosé
A blend of Noir de Pressac, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.