Location and importance of Château Margaux

The high-ranking winery Château Margaux is located in Bordeaux in France. More precisely in the Médoc, which is now divided into eight appellations in which viticulture is practiced. One of these appellations is Margaux, which includes not only the municipality of Margaux but also the neighboring villages of Cantenac, Labarde, Arsac and Soussans. Château Margaux is the only Premiers Crus winery in the Margaux appellation, making it one of the five best wineries in the Bordeaux wine-growing region. The climatic and geological conditions in the growing area create the conditions for the production of one of the best wines in the world.

Important cornerstones in the history of the winery

The history of the property goes back to the 12th century. The castle as it stands today was not commissioned until 1810 by Bertrand Douat, Marquis de la Colonilla. He assumed that the existing property did not do justice to the fame of winegrowing in Bordeaux. Over the centuries, the winery changed hands several times, not all of them were winegrowers and dedicated themselves to wine.

At the end of the 1970s, André Mentzelopoulos bought the winery and, as the new owner, began a total renovation of the castle, the cellar and the vineyards. After the death of her father, Corinne Mentzelopoulos took over the winery and has owned Château Margaux since 1980. In 1983 Paul Pontallier was appointed managing director. Until his death in 2016, his work made a significant contribution to the success and the continuous quality and elegance of the wines.

Cultivated areas and vinification

The property owns around 260 hectares of land, of which around 80 hectares are vineyards. Sauvignon Blanc grows on about 12 hectares. The rest of the area is reserved for red wines. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

In order to obtain the best possible quality of the grape material, it is read and selected by hand. The vinification takes place in the oak barrels for which Bordeaux is so famous.

The wines

In addition to its famous first wine, Château Margaux also produces a second red wine, the Pavillon Rouge, and a third wine called Margaux. Finally, the white wine Pavillon Blanc should be mentioned. These are all fine wines of the highest quality, which can be stored for a long time and increase in value.