Château de Champ-Renard: rich in terroir and history

Today, we invite you to travel forty kilometers north of Lyon, into the heart of Beaujolais, to visit Denis Garnier and Fabienne Vilain. Independent and passionate vintners, they restore and cultivate a historic estate perched on a hill overlooking the valley. Built during the feudal era, the château has hosted numerous historical figures. Transformed into a wine estate in 1765 by the Marquis d'Espinay, the domain benefits from a diverse terroir and offers wines with varied aromatic profiles. It was this richness, both in its history and in its terroir expression, that captivated Fabienne and Denis in 2014.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

What is the philosophy behind the estate?

The Love for Fine and Good Wine

What most characterizes this estate is undoubtedly the love for beautiful things and the pleasure they bring to its owners. This philosophy is reflected in the estate's motto, "Repellam Umbras," which means "reject the shadow." The rejection of shadow is an idea that is evident in the regular artistic exhibitions organized at the estate. The expression of painting and sculpture is indeed highlighted alongside their equally expressive wines.

This idea also extends to their commitment to preserving heritage and the environment. They work to renovate the château, cultivate the vines under the environmental certification "Terra Vitis," and avoid animal-derived ingredients by producing all their wines under the "Vegan" label.

How does the estate keep innovating?

New Wines for the 2020 Vintage

Additionally, they reject the shadow of routine by seeking innovation. The 2020 vintage will be a prime example of this pursuit of excellence, with the introduction of two new wines:

A white wine based on Chardonnay in the Beaujolais-Villages appellation, very fruity with citrus aromas.

A new cuvée showcasing the Gamaret red grape, producing very structured wines with a beautiful texture in fruity wines.

What makes the terroir so unique?

An Expressive and Historic Terroir

Thomas Jefferson was more than just the third American president. He was also a wine enthusiast, vintner, and a key figure in establishing vineyards in America. His success in creating an American vineyard was partly due to a trip to France that exposed him to the best viticulture practices. It turns out that this trip led him to Château de Champ-Renard. The estate’s historical significance in winemaking is due to its 7.5 hectares of vines, which benefit from a unique terroir. Facing southeast at 320 meters altitude, and with a variety of soils ranging from siliceous, clay-limestone, to granitic, it offers an exceptional terroir for vines. The current vineyard, planted mostly before 1939, has a low planting density allowing it to extract its essence. The grape varieties include Pinot Noir, Gamay, and recently Gamaret red for red wines, and Chardonnay for white wines. Denis and Fabienne enjoy creating expressive, fresh, fruity white wines with a beautiful finish, and refined, spicy red wines with great body. Their passion is to surprise and play with the various expressions of the terroir.

Let yourself be amazed by the wines of Château Champ-Renard!

Discover the wines of Château de Champ-Renard directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Château de Champ-Renard

Where is Château de Champ-Renard located?

The estate lies in Beaujolais, about forty kilometres north of Lyon. Its vines cover a hillside above the valley, around a former feudal château perched on the heights.

Which grape varieties grow at the estate?

The reds are built on Pinot Noir, Gamay and, more recently, Gamaret. The whites come from Chardonnay. This range yields varied aromatic profiles, from bright fruit to more structured cuvées.

Is the Château de Champ-Renard vineyard farmed organically?

The estate is not certified organic, but it follows the Terra Vitis environmental certification. Every wine also carries the Vegan label, made without any animal-derived ingredient.

What makes the Champ-Renard terroir distinctive?

Across 7.5 hectares facing southeast at 320 metres altitude, the soils blend silica, clay-limestone and granite. This patchwork, mostly planted before 1939, gives wines of striking diversity.

What does the estate motto Repellam Umbras mean?

The Latin phrase translates as "reject the shadow". It guides the work of Denis Garnier and Fabienne Vilain, from art exhibitions on site to heritage preservation and the pursuit of new cuvées.