Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU LES DAMES DE LA RENARDIÈRE: REFINEMENT AND ELEGANCE IN THE ENTRE-DEUX-MERS REGION

Château Les Dames de la Renardière

Nestled in a lush landscape between woods and ponds, Château Les Dames de la Renardière covers 32 hectares in a single, seamless plot.

A Unique Terroir in a Protected Ecosystem

Rémi Frégonèse, the estate’s Director, is deeply passionate about viticulture and works meticulously alongside the owners, Vignobles Dupuy, to maintain the vineyard’s integrity.

After completing his studies in oenology, Rémi gained extensive experience working with various Bordeaux appellations before managing a cooperative winery on Réunion Island. Upon returning to France, he took on the management of several wine estates and founded a wine consulting and trading company. In January 2017, the Vignobles Dupuy offered him the directorship of Château Les Dames de la Renardière—a role he eagerly accepted.

The estate, featuring a château set within a 60-hectare park of vineyards, woods, and ponds, was acquired in the 1980s and underwent a complete renovation in the 1990s. Initially, only a few hectares of vines existed, and the owners were determined to rejuvenate this sleeping beauty. They invested heavily in restoring the vineyard, winemaking facilities, and château, equipping it with state-of-the-art tools. Their mission? To harness the full potential of their exceptional terroir and craft wines that rival the finest Grand Crus.

Today, the estate consists of 32 hectares of contiguous vineyards, comprising 19 hectares of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds, and 13 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Sémillon for whites. By maintaining low yields—below those required by the AOC Bordeaux Supérieur and Entre-Deux-Mers—and practicing sustainable viticulture, Rémi and his team ensure the highest quality in their wines. "We focus on prophylaxis, identifying and treating the causes of potential fungal or insect issues, which allows us to significantly reduce the need for chemical inputs," Rémi explains. The estate also follows a circular, ecological approach by using horse manure from local stables to enrich the vineyard’s soil. The 30 hectares of forest surrounding the vineyard, with its diverse flora and fauna, contribute to a protected ecosystem. "Our goal is to minimize our environmental impact, and we are working towards High Environmental Value certification to formalize our commitment," Rémi adds.

Elegant and Fruity Wines

The estate’s approach to winemaking is meticulous, harvesting only perfectly ripe grapes and carefully selecting the best berries. Under the guidance of internationally renowned oenologist Michel Rolland, the estate employs micro-oxygenation to preserve the freshness and intensity of the fruit. The finest barrels are chosen to create refined, elegant wines that showcase intense fruitiness and a lingering finish.

A prime example is their Cuvée des Dames 2016, a 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine that highlights the flagship grape of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. Fermented entirely in barrels with eight months of aging, this wine boasts an explosive nose of passion fruit, lemon, and citrus, complemented by slightly smoky, brioche notes on the palate. This elegant cuvée, perfectly balanced between fruitiness and minerality, pairs beautifully with oysters, creamy parmesan risotto, or grilled scallops.

Similarly, Château Les Dames de la Renardière 2014 captivates with its clear and brilliant color, citrus notes typical of Sauvignon, and delicate floral and vanilla undertones. Only 6,000 bottles of this aromatic and balanced white wine were produced. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif or alongside grilled sea bream with herbs.

The estate’s red wines are equally impressive. The Château Les Dames de la Renardière 2010 Tradition cuvée is refined and elegant, offering aromas of ripe raspberries and wild berries, accompanied by spicy notes. This concentrated, complex, and rounded red wine is an ideal match for wood-fired grills.

These various cuvées, consistently recognized and awarded by major guides and professional competitions, can be found on many prestigious tables across France and Europe.

After 30 years of renovation, Château Les Dames de la Renardière is now ready to welcome visitors with a new tasting room, set to open in the coming months. The next phase includes the addition of three guest rooms and a suite, offering stunning views of the vineyard and park, all located in the oldest wing of the 15th-century charterhouse.

If you’re exploring the Bordeaux wine region, make sure Château Les Dames de la Renardière is on your itinerary!