CHATEAU LA GROLET
Côtes de Bourg, France
When Jean-Luc and Catherine Hubert bought the chateau in 1997, they immediately converted the vineyards to biodynamic farming. Since 2000 vineyards have been certified organic and biodynamic by Demeter. The wine-making is traditional, with the only interventions being temperature control and minimal sulfur. The estate comprises 54 hectares (133 acres) 38 hectares of which are under vine, the rest being given over to meadow, forest and wetland.
The soil is gravel and mud over a silty clay base. The vineyard is planted to 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec, on steep hills with South/SouthWest exposure. The wine ferments spontaneously on native yeasts. Very little sulphur is used (90 mg/L, half of conventional practices). The wines are moved by gravity wherever possible, and see 1 year of ageing. Very light filtration at bottling.
The family also owns Chateau Peybonhomme in the Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux appellation (purchased in 1895) and another Blaye property bought in 2011, making them the largest producers of chateau-bottled organic wine in Bordeaux.
Wines