CHATEAU DE CASTRES

A Storied Estate with a Prestigious Past

For centuries, this remarkable estate carried the name of its most distinguished owner, Baron de Poitevin. As early as 1881, its vineyard was celebrated in the fourth edition of the Féret guide: “The château is surrounded by a magnificent single-block vineyard, with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The owner produces a wine distinguished by its richness, finesse, and bouquet.” At a time when most neighboring estates practiced mixed farming and relied on a single grape variety, this property was already pioneering a more refined viticultural approach.

A New Chapter Begins in 1996

After passing through several hands over the years, the estate found new life in 1996 when José Rodrigues-Lalande, a winemaking engineer, and his wife Brigitte, a viticultural accounting expert, were captivated by its potential. Coming from families with deep-rooted winemaking traditions, they saw more than just the stunning 18th-century chartreuse and its centuries-old park—they recognized an extraordinary terroir waiting to be revealed.