The terroir of Château de la Vieille Chapelle is located on the Dordogne alluvial system, a privileged site. It is made up of 11 hectares of vines. The soil of the vineyard is made up mainly of fine and deep clays, but also of alluvial deposits - silts. These soils are complicated to work. The proximity to the Dordogne river brings advantages for the management of the vineyard and contributes to the quality of our wines. We also benefit from a microclimate on the estate thanks to this proximity.In 2008, we stopped using herbicides and from 2009, pesticides. Since 2010, we have been using alternative and natural treatments. Since 2013, all wines have been certified organic (Ecocert) and we obtained biodynamic certification in 2017 (Demeter).
The role of the peasant is not to exploit the land, but to take care of the land. It is with this in mind t. All our operations are recorded for full traceability. Some parcels of the estate are not planted to improve biodiversity. Visit us and we will tell you about this passion for the profession of winegrowerhat we are working in this family vineyard. We respect and take care of our vines which are between 30 and 180 years old, so the harvest is done by hand. Soil work is done mechanically or on horseback. All our operations are recorded for full traceability. Some parcels of the estate are not planted to improve biodiversity. Visit us and we will tell you about this passion for the profession of winegrower.The estate is divided into 11 different grape varieties. You can find: Merlot, Bouchalès, Castet, Mancin, Cot, Carménère and many others. These grape varieties allow us to produce organic wines, in white, red and rosé.At Château de la Vieille Chapelle, we are concerned about respecting the environment and the work of men, in order to guarantee the quality of our wine.
Biodynamic viticulture is a work of the land and the vines respectful of the rhythm of the seasons and of natural influences, in order to guarantee the health of the soil, people and animals. We have been certified organic since 2013, and we have had Demeter (biodynamic) certification since 2017. On a daily basis, we do not cease small gestures to preserve our places of life and our environment: short circuit, local supply, organic products, etc.
After a genetic analysis of the vines in 2009, we discovered a very old variety from the southwest: Bouchalès. In 2014, we launched an ampelographic study on 400 vines, and we found 11 grape varieties. Since 2016, we have been working on the “Vignes du Futur” project, the objective of which is to replant old grape varieties, in order to find these forgotten aromas.
The winery is equiped with concrete vats to hold 900hl - perfectly well-kept - without any coating thereby allowing exchanges of gas. Several wine storevats complete these concrete vats. The winery is north facing and thus allows good temperature regulation.
In 2006 we invested in two essentials tools regarding the quality of the juices and respect of harvest and wines : a cold generator and perictaltic pump.
The wines
Analytic control of both grapes and wines is ensured by an oenological group.
The harvest is divided into 4 areas :
- The Semilon grapes of "La Chapelle"
- The old Merlots of Mr. Baudet (producing "Les Merlots de Baudet".
- The old vines (Bouchalès, Merlots, Petit Verdot that survived to the Phylloxéra)
- The Cabernet Francs of "La Chapelle"
Wines assemblings are made depending on the wine merchandising in AOC Bordeaux or AOC Bordeaux Supérior.
The picking is done 100% by hand.
More specifically for the white wines :
- Removing of sources of botytris the day before harvesting.
- Thermoregulation after harvest ( between 15 and 18°C) for several days and before the fermentation starts
- Vinification in new oak barrels every year.
- Daily care of density and temperature during fermentation
Red wines :
- Manaul sorting of the harvest
- Thermoregulation
- Pre-fermenting maceration from 2 to 4 days in the vats
- Ageing in French and American oak barrels depending on the vintage ( 6 to 8 months).
- Manual pigeage of for the respect of the wines.
- Selected pumping up, using only the peristaltic pump, according to the vats.
- NO micro-oxygenation.
- Native yeast fermentation (no additional exogenous yeast)
- Low level of sulfites
Rosés :
The rosés wines are vinified like the whites.
