Historic Location
Established in the 16th Century, it’s limestone slopes and proximity to the Dordogne made Claribès ideal for both grape growing and river transport into the port of Bordeaux.
Vineyards were first introduced into the area by the Gallo Romans. They recognized that the maritime climate of the Bordeaux region provides excellent moderate conditions for grape growing.
The caves beneath the Château are of archaeological interest. Thought to have been inhabited centuries before the Romans, this was confirmed in an excavation conducted by the University of Bordeaux. Many artifacts, pieces of pottery and other articles were discovered, some of which can be seen in the Bordeaux natural history museum.
The Current Owners
Helen & Nick, produced their first wine vintage at the property in 2005, continuing a tradition of quality and innovation.
“Our philosophy,” says Helen, “is simple – We make wines that are a true reflection of the terroir in a way that is sustainable and natural.”
Investment has continued in quality, replanting and restructuring the vineyards, conversion to organic (biologique) agriculture, upgrading the wineries and implementing production methods for Organic Wine.
Organic (Biologique) Certification has been awarded from the 2013 vintage. Our Organic Bordeaux Wine is vegan from the 2006 vintage.
The sustainable practices are carried through in the vineyard, winery, packaging, and distribution.
Space to Stay
&
Space for Events
The ancient three story tower overlooks the valley. Built into the cliff face, the lower ground floor takes you into the caves, the upper ground floor is renovated for our shop and tasting room. It makes a memorable location to host a dinner or just visit to try our wines.
You are able to stay on the vineyard. The former stone vineyard workers cottage has been sympathetically restored to provide a spacious comfortable base for a vacation amongst the vineyards of Bordeaux.
We are able to organise special events in the grounds. In addition the magnificent, restored, 160 square metre entertaining room can be made available.
Visitors are actively welcomed throughout the year with tours and tastings regularly offered.
Agriculture Biologique (the French term for Organic)
We are Certified Biologique
by EcoCert
The land and vineyards are officially classified as agriculture biologique (the French term for Organic). Wines from vintages 2010, 2011 and 2012 are classified as in conversion.
The first full Organic Bordeaux Wines are from the 2013 vintage.
Following the lunar calendar for all key vineyard and winery activities probably makes it sound as if we’ve gone a step too far on our “natural” path, but a quote about our 2007 Rosé in the Guide Hachette des Vins confirmed our belief.
“… made according to the lunar calendar, and judging by this wine, there’s definitely something in it”.
Guide Hachette des Vins
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
Carménère, Malbec
&
Sauvignon Blanc
Our grape varieties that typify Côtes de Bordeaux Wines. Varieties that work well with our soil and climate conditions, varieties that produce elegant white and rosé wines, and red wines that are full bodied and refined.
We employ Biologique Agriculture techniques in the vineyards. Much of the work is carried out by hand, organic fertilisers are used, indigenous plants are encouraged to grow between the rows of vines and the lunar cycle determines when we carry out key activities including the harvest.
Low yield techniques improve the health of the grapes, intensifying their flavour, aroma and colour.
Careful management of the foliage and leaf canopy helps us to improve photosynthesis and bunch ventilation.
Our objective is to have healthy, fully ripe grapes on all vineyard parcels before each is harvested.
“Provenance has taken on increased significance amongst fine wine consumers. Knowing and buying direct from small producers, where the profits go back into the quality of the product, is THE WAY TO GO”.
White & Rosé Wines
At Château de Claribès the vineyards surround the house and wineries, so the grapes arrive and start the conversion process within minutes of being picked.
The white wine is made from our hectare of Sauvignon Blanc grapes. These grapes produce our superb fresh, clean & dry Bordeaux Blanc Sec.
The grapes for our white and rosé wines are harvested by hand in the cool early morning air and kept at a steady low temperature during fermentation. This captures and retains the delicate natural flavours and aromas.
We press the whole bunches as soon as they arrive. A technique that helps to produce our truly pale Bordeaux Rosé, dry and picked by hand.
Rosé and white wines are finished and bottled in the year. No allergens are used in the process and SO2 levels are kept to strict minimums without compromising the ability of the wine to remain fresh.
Red Wines
The red wine is fermented on the grape skins for around eight weeks to develop colour, flavour, tannins and aroma.
We use extraction techniques that are specific for each parcel of vines and variety. In this way we can produces a range of wines with quite different and unique qualities.
From the oldest and densely planted vines we produce our Sainte Foy Côte de Bordeaux, wines like Old Vine Malbec and our Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine Marpeau. Our wines with high Merlot content are Bordeaux Supérieur or Sainte Foy Côte de Bordeaux.
In years of good quality natural yeast, we allow the fermentation to begin naturally. We carry out a natural secondary fermentation on the red wines, converting malic acid into lactic acid, which gives the wines a full, rounded feel in the mouth.
Following fermentation, the red wine is matured for almost two years before bottling at the Château.
Hand Crafting Wine
Our hand crafted wine making process means we can only make limited quantities of each wine. It’s labour intensive, as many of our visitors will testify, requiring careful attention to detail.
The wines are made as naturally as possible without compromise on quality. The results are high quality Organic (Biologique) Bordeaux wine, wine that is a true reflection of the vines and the vineyards.
We are the only Château, winemaker and vineyard in the village of Claribès. All our wines are sold under the single brand Château de Claribès. This brand and no variation on it are your guarantee of authenticity and provenance.
- Organic & Biologique from 2013
- 100% Vegetarian & 100% Vegan from 2006
- Hand Crafted & Award Winning
- Made exclusively in Claribès – Côte de Bordeaux
Recognition & Awards
Excellent Rating on Trip Advisor !
Have you seen the latest score for the Holiday House at Château de Claribès? Trip Advisor has given us an Excellent rating !!! With a score of 5 out of 5 , Trip Advisor now considers our Holiday House good enough…
CIVB Selects Claribès Rosé
We now have two wines selected by the CIVB in 2012. The CIVB selects Château de Claribès Rosé “Hand-Picked Bordeaux” as well as Marpeau Rouge 2005 – Sainte Foy Bordeaux.
Decanter star rates Claribès Rosé 2011
Sometimes life is full of surprises, this weeks best happened when a visitor arrived at the Château door brandishing the latest copy of Decanter magazine.
Guide Hachette 2011 – Star
Star – Le merlot domine dans le rosé de ce château qui offre une vue agréable sur la vallée de Soulège. Vendangé suivant le calendrier lunaire, valorisé par une vinification soignée, il met en avant son velouté et sa sincérité…
IWC – 2010 – Bronze
Our latest wine, Vieille Vigne Malbec, has just been awarded a Bronze Medal at the International Wine Challenge in London
Guide Hachette 2010 – Star
Grown and vinified according to the lunar calendar, in accordance with the rules of biodynamics, this pure Sauvignon Blanc is only the third vintage of the new owners. It is distinguished by a beautiful straw yellow, intense citrus flavors and…
Guide Hachette 2009 – Star
This estate was discovered last year for its first vintage (2005). Biodynamic, it was selected this year for two vintages. The Marpeau is a wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), which develops an intense fruity flavour with peppery and balanced…
Guide Hachette 2008
2005 was the first vintage of the new owners of this estate, farmed using biodynamic methods, perched on the heights of Sainte-Foy. The garnet is clear and expressive, and the nose harmoniously combines aromas of red fruits and spices.
