Château du Payre, Valérie Labrousse: ‘elegant, rich and aromatic wines’.

The name Château du Payre is misleading. While it means "father's castle" in Gascon dialect, the story of this Bordeaux vineyard is one of women passing down the estate from mother to daughter for five generations. Now at the helm of the estate, Valérie Labrousse (née Marcuzzi) represents the fifth generation of women winemakers in her family.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How did Valérie come to lead the estate?

A family legacy of women in winemaking

Although Valérie grew up immersed in the world of wine and always aspired to make a career in the field, her path was not always straightforward.

I arrived at Château du Payre in 1993. Before that, I worked in spirits sales because there were very few opportunities for women in the wine sector at that time.

What makes the vineyard's terroir distinctive?

A terroir with many facets

Fortunately, times have changed and opportunities have evolved. Today, Valérie skillfully manages the family legacy, which includes 35 hectares of vineyards, with the help of five full-time employees. Located within the city of Cadillac, the Château du Payre vineyard boasts a terroir with multiple facets:

The expression of our terroir varies from one sector to another depending on the year. This offers us many possibilities,

Valérie explains.

Capitalizing on this diverse terroir, Château du Payre offers a varied range of wines, including red wines from AOC Premières Côtes de Bordeaux and Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, as well as sparkling wines from AOC Crémant de Bordeaux. Since her arrival at the estate, Valérie has expanded this range by creating two Crémant cuvées (a dry and a rosé), a sweet wine, and a premium red wine with woody aromas: the "Perle du Payre" cuvée. Valérie focuses on producing "rich, elegant, and aromatic wines."

What can visitors experience at the estate?

"Bacchus" stay: guest rooms and dining on the estate

When Valérie is not working in the vineyards or cellars, she develops the estate's oenotourism activities. Between the tasting room, the sales cellar, and workshops where visitors can create their own wine, tourists from across France and beyond can gain a comprehensive view of the estate’s work, a priority for Valérie. Among other offerings, she provides VAL, an interactive and educational trail through the vineyards where visitors can learn about the Château du Payre vineyard’s history via a smartphone app.

The major new addition to Château du Payre’s oenotourism is the "Bacchus Stay." Launched just a year ago, this package includes four guest rooms (Sémillon, Muscadelle, Sauvignon, Merlot) and dining options. This initiative earned the estate the Best of Gold Wine Tourism Award in 2017

Discover the wines of Château du Payre directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Château du Payre

Where is Château du Payre located?

The estate covers 35 hectares in Cadillac, in the Gironde. Its plots fall under the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux and Crémant de Bordeaux appellations.

Who runs Château du Payre?

Valérie Labrousse, the fifth winemaker in an all-female family line. She joined the property in 1993 and now runs it with five full-time staff.

What style of wine does Château du Payre make?

Valérie aims for elegant, aromatic wines with plenty of substance. Cadillac's varied soils let her craft reds, sparkling Crémant and a sweet cuvée depending on the plot and the vintage.

What does the name Château du Payre mean?

In Gascon dialect, Payre refers to the father, which is ironic for a property kept in the hands of the family's women for five generations. The name never changed.

Can you stay at Château du Payre?

Yes. The estate offers the Bacchus Stay, with four guest rooms named after grape varieties, plus dining tables. A connected trail through the vineyard, the VAL, rounds out the visit.