Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU DES BROYERS: COMBINING TRADITION AND MODERNITY IN BEAUJOLAIS

Château des Broyers: A Blend of History, Family, and Modern Winemaking

A Bold Family Project

Pierre Coquard, an engineer by training, spent a decade in the IT industry before embarking on a significant family project: revitalizing Château des Broyers to transform it into a venue for corporate events while continuing its tradition of winemaking. The journey began in 2003 when the Coquard family acquired this historic property. Over the next two and a half years, they created reception spaces and restructured the vineyard, combining respect for the terroir and traditional expertise with modern technology.

Located in La Chapelle-de-Guinchay, just a few kilometers from Mâcon, Château des Broyers boasts 2.5 hectares of vineyards surrounding the estate. The wines produced here cover no fewer than eight different appellations: Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran, Morgon, Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Crémant de Bourgogne, and Beaujolais-Villages in red, white, and rosé.

For a bit of historical context, vineyards have existed at Château des Broyers for over 300 years. The estate was structured by the canons (ecclesiastical dignitaries) of Mâcon, who instructed farmers to convert the historic grove into viticultural land. The main building, initially inhabited by the Broyer family, expanded until 1700. In 1710, the Seigneur des Raviers, a bodyguard of King Louis XIV and a cavalry captain, commissioned the construction of the château as it stands today. Since 2005, the property has been dedicated to team-building events and seminars during the week and transformed for weddings, baptisms, and family gatherings on weekends. The estate also offers extensive oenotourism experiences with guided tours and wine tastings in its vaulted cellars. Today, a team of 14 people works on the estate, including vineyard staff, a head chef, and reception personnel. Over 4,000 square meters are allocated to reception spaces, with 11 rooms and salons and numerous guest rooms. "The idea is to share and exchange in a refreshing and restful setting," says Pierre.

Bold and Elegant Wines

When it comes to the wines, the goal is to blend tradition and modernity to reveal the finest expression of each appellation's terroir. "It’s always about finding the perfect balance between fruit and tannin while creating wines with good aging potential," Pierre explains. This is particularly evident in their Moulin-à-Vent, a great Beaujolais wine with lovely expressions of red fruits and floral notes, coupled with a roundness and elegance. This 100% Gamay red wine is aged for 8-9 months in oak barrels previously used for white wines, to avoid an overly strong oak flavor. The robust body of this wine pairs perfectly with grilled rib-eye steak on vine shoots, accompanied by small jacket potatoes with cream and chives. The smokiness of the meat harmonizes beautifully with the wine's subtle oakiness.

In a different style, their Pouilly-Fuissé is the "king of Burgundy wines." This 100% Chardonnay delights with its aromas of flint, gunstone, delicate notes of hazelnut, almond, and white flowers. "It’s like fine lace, a lady in an exceptional evening gown, all elegance and grace," Pierre describes. This exceptional wine pairs wonderfully with seafood, Gillardeau© oysters, grilled lobster, or frog legs in butter.

Finally, their Jeu de Bulles cuvée is a bold venture, being a 100% Gamay sparkling wine that is fruity, fresh, and with a well-controlled acidity. The palate is indulgent with fruity notes that pair excellently with foie gras toast or a prawn risotto with lychees.

If you find yourself near Mâcon, now you know where to stop!