Château de Sales

The History of Chateau de Sales

Château de Sales is the largest family estate in Pomerol, belonging to the Sauvanelle family since the 16th century. With the transmission by women from generation to generation, four names have succeeded each other - Sauvanelle, Desaigues, de Laage and Lambert - but they all belong to the descendants of the Sauvanelles.

The Château de Sales was acquired by the Sauvanelle family in 1578. The vineyard was gradually developed. It took its name of Château de Sales after 1602, when the Sauvanelle brothers, known as the Seigneurs de Sales, managed the production of wine for France, as well as for export to Spain.

During the French Revolution, the men went into exile, while the women were imprisoned, until the fall of Robespierre. In the meantime, the Château de Sales was seized by the state, looted and vandalized. The family had to fight to recover its land (except for three hectares that were missing) and rebuild everything.

The generations succeed one another and the estate gains in quality and know-how over the years. Between 1949 and 1985, Château de Sales was managed by Henri de Lambert who undertook to modernize it, while increasing the surface area of its vineyard from 28 to 47.6 hectares. The Pomerol appellation was taking off and Château de Sales became one of its emblematic figures.

Between 1982 and 2017, Château de Sales was managed by Bruno de Lambert who opened his property to wine tourism. Since 2017, the management of the huge and prestigious estate has been handled by the fourteen first cousins, descendants of the de Lambert family.

The Château de Sales vineyard

Chateau de Sales is located in the northwest of the Pomerol appellation. The estate occupies an area of 90 hectares, of which more than half - 47.60 hectares - is dedicated to vines. Apart from the three hectares lost during the French Revolution, the boundaries of Château de Sales are the same as when it was founded in 1578 (but the area under vines has almost doubled). The estate thus represents the largest vineyard in the Pomerol AOC.

The vineyard of Château de Sales is composed of 73% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc. The soil is made up of warm sands, rich in iron oxides, and small gravels, favorable to the culture of the vine.

Château de Sales is certified HVE, High Environmental Value, since 2020.

The wines of Château de Sales

Chateau de Sales offers two wines belonging to the Pomerol appellation.

Chateau de Sales - Grand Vin de Pomerol
This first wine of the property expresses the complexity and finesse of Pomerol wines. Composed mostly of Merlot, it is destined for aging.

Château Chantalouette - Second Wine of Château de Sales
The second wine of Château de Sales is from a second selection. Round and fruity, it is best enjoyed young.