Château le Grand Verdus

Introduction

Dating back to the Renaissance, Château Le Grand Verdus is quite simply a unique place. Located in the Entre deux Mers, the Le Grix de la Salle family takes advantage of this exceptional place, composed of a fabulous terroir, to elaborate great wines. Today, it is Thomas and Edouard who are dedicated to perpetuating the family wine tradition.

History

There are several accounts that tell of Château Le Grand Verdus dating back to the Renaissance, 1579 to be exact. Arnaud de Bonneau was the first lord to reside in this fortified place, built on an ancient fortress. But the property, which was not a vineyard during this period, would become one many centuries later...

It was in 1810 that a man by the name of Claude Deschamps acquired the estate. Then a recognized architect under Napoleon I, he participated in the renovation of the castle. His son took over and married Clothilde Le Grix de la Salle, who left the property to her brother Charles.

It is for 200 years that the estate has been famous, but will know a major turning point with the arrival of an enterprising generation: Philippe Le Grix de la Salle became the first winemaker. This time we are in 1947, just after the Second World War. It was necessary for this winegrower to hold on, through many ups and downs like the famous frost wave of 1956, a plague for the whole of France. Until 1973, Philippe and his wife Francette, who helped him on the farm, were part of a cooperative named "Cooperative de Créon". They then became independent by leaving it, and two years later welcomed their son Antoine and worked together for 20 years.

Family tradition obliges... but above all very important in the eyes of the Le Grix de la Salle, it is Antoine's sons who take over and take care today of a vineyard with an international reputation, exported to more than 20 countries.

Two brothers, one passion

Authenticity... A value that we find directly when Antoine, joined by his brother Thomas, opens the doors of this 16th century building. The two brothers are now the protagonists of this family story, rich in know-how that has been passed down for over 70 years. These passionate people benefit from an estate producing AOC Bordeaux and AOC Super Bordeaux wines but also from a multi-faceted terroir, with clay-limestone and clay-silt soils. It is a real geological jewel...

But what are the grape varieties used? We find the famous winning cocktail with a majority of Merlot, then Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. In white, it is the Sauvignon Blanc that prevails, also leaving a place for Semillon and Muscadelle. With a planting area of 100 hectares, the Le Grix de la Salle family has the capacity to produce in all three colors (red, white and rosé). In addition, the vines have an average age of 25 years, so they are very vigorous and give the winemakers the choice of which bunches to pick.

The means are therefore made available to be as precise as possible in the vinifications. The stainless steel vats are recent and numerous, in order to always be one step ahead in the elaboration of the vintages, in particular the Great Reserves...