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Location
15.5 miles from Bordeaux (TGV train station and international airport), just under 2 miles from the A10 motorway exit.
In the Upper Gironde where the waters of the Dordogne, the Garonne and the Atlantic come together to form the biggest estuary in North Western Europe.
In a region which has everything needed to satisfy desires as far as nature, culture, vine and wine knowledge and local gastronomy are concerned.
Amidst pleasant and varied landscapes, comprising vineyards, forests, marshlands, lakes and rivers as well as small ports, charming towns and villages, citadels, vine growing châteaux and Roman churches.
This 173 acre estate stands just a stone’s throw from said estuary. It fills a large dale dominating the Dordogne valley with approx. 123.5 acres of vineyard including 111 planted acres, 19.8 acres of copses and forests, 22.3 acres of grasslands and 7.4 acres of parklands and gardens.
Description
The château is built on a large esplanade set in the heart of the estate and accessed via a beautiful driveway bordered by plane trees over two hundred
years old.
Its original owner entrusted its construction around 1786 to a famous architect. But, appointed to a high-ranking position, the owner stopped the works two years after they were started in fear of being suspected of using public money to complete the building of his château. His wisdom was not to bring him luck as the French Revolution began and he was guillotined in 1794, leaving the building uncompleted.
Nevertheless, a significant amount of work had already been done as the west dwelling and the service quarters were finished, representing a total of more than 35,520 sq ft net floor surface area. Raw materials for the property were taken from the quarries on site, generating several miles of underground tunnels, part of which was used as wine-making cellars.
All the buildings have French MH classification.
The dwelling comprises two wings set at right angles: one faces south west and houses adjoining ceremonial rooms with a total surface area of approx. 4,305 sq ft; the other, facing north west, would seem to have been intended for family life, despite its spacious rooms and the 2,153 sq ft overall floor surface area.
The 10,764 sq ft service quarters form an integral part of the château with two large two-storey flats, a chapel, a tasting room, several small units of accommodation for the vine growers, and some wonderful vaulted rooms currently used for storage purposes.
The outside of the building is in a good state of repair; notably the roof which was completely redone thirty or so years ago and has been maintained on an annual basis ever since.
Inside, the ground floor has been carefully preserved; it has all its original features but in its present condition, devoid of home comforts, cannot be lived in.
The upstairs await total restoration.
The outbuildings are spread around the building: former water tower on a lower level close to the fish breeding pool, impressive dovecote higher up, followed by the fermentation building, wine storehouses and the Steward’s house.
The vineyard spans 112.4 acres on either side of the château.
AOC Bordeaux: it comprises the following vine varieties: Merlot (56.3 acres), Cabinet Sauvignon (31.6 acres), Cabernet Franc (18.3 acres) and miscellaneous others (6.2 acres).
Annual harvests are in the region of 55,000 gallons which is approx. 490 gallons per acre. Up until 2006 the wine was matured in vats and partly in barrels and was bottled on the estate by the château. The 2007 harvest was sold unpicked.
Our opinion
The original Pharaonic project was never completed.
Unfortunately or fortunately?
Unfortunately, as it would have been interesting to see the works finished in order to judge the equilibrium of the proportions of a building which in the 18th century had to be perfectly symmetrical. But fortunately too, as its size which is nonetheless reasonable, has certainly contributed to its survival and the new owners, who will have to be daring, will already have more than enough to restore.
Especially as they will also have to look after a large vineyard in order to restock the miles of cellars with full barrels; cellars that are simply waiting for life to continue after an unfortunate interruption in production.
Presentation of details by appointment with our offices in Paris.
Price
Contact us
Our fees are included in the stated sale price. Reference
1840EL
Representative
Eric Leveilley
Telephone
06 19 67 16 41
contact
NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
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