Château La Forêt

Château La Forêt stands out as a complete agricultural estate, where the vineyard is part of a living and diverse landscape. Located in the far south of the Périgord, at the heart of the Bergerac appellation, the estate combines vineyard rows with a mosaic of crops including cereals, sunflowers, plum trees, and walnut trees. This polyculture, inherited from an ancient peasant tradition, shapes the identity of the place as much as its wines. Here, the vineyard is not conceived in isolation but as part of a whole, where the balance between crops contributes to the richness of the terroir and the landscape.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

What is the story behind Château La Forêt?

A family estate in the Périgord

A simple, authentic place, where everything begins in the soil and reveals itself in the glass

The history of Château La Forêt is one of family continuity. Taken over by Hervé in 1998, the estate gradually evolved while remaining faithful to its agricultural roots. Initially modest, the property has grown to cover about 60 hectares today, while maintaining a family-run operation. Laurence joined the adventure in 2011, bringing her experience as an oenologist. Together, they chose to assert their style and move towards direct sales starting in 2010, in order to create a closer connection with consumers. Their goal remains clear: to produce precise, sincere, and accessible wines, capable of fully expressing their vintage and origin.

Revealing our terroir with precision, to offer its most vibrant expression

How does the estate approach its farming?

A comprehensive, life-respecting approach

Château La Forêt claims an agricultural identity, where the vineyard coexists with other productions that enrich the estate’s ecosystem. In addition to grapes used for Bergerac wines, the estate cultivates cereals on plots less suitable for vineyards and has been developing complementary projects for several years, such as reviving a plum orchard and planting walnut trees. This diversification reflects a desire to fully valorize the resources of the territory and maintain a sustainable and coherent agricultural model.

We are, above all, farmers who are architects of our landscapes

This philosophy is also reflected in a reinforced environmental commitment. The estate continues its efforts towards practices respectful of life, notably aiming to obtain HVE4 certification. Careful observation of the vines, reasoned crop management, and the pursuit of balance between production and biodiversity structure daily work. Hervé and Laurence consider each vintage as a renewed challenge.

Turning a climatic year into a taste signature

What defines the wines of Château La Forêt?

Precise wines, a family know-how

In the winery, the philosophy remains faithful to that applied in the vineyard: simplicity, precision, and respect for the fruit. The wines are designed to express the freshness and aromatic intensity of the terroir, without artifice. This approach has gradually allowed the estate to build its identity, marked by frank and accessible cuvées capable of appealing to both enthusiasts and professionals. The first bottling in 2011 remains a foundational memory for the winemakers, symbolizing the culmination of years of work.

Seeing the fruit of a year’s work take concrete form

Among the styles of wine produced, rosé holds a special place. Technical and demanding, it represents for them a synthesis of their way of working. The recognition received, notably with a gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris, confirmed the accuracy of their approach and strengthened their confidence in their direction. Faithful to an authentic approach, Hervé and Laurence prioritize direct encounters with their visitors, convinced that sharing a glass remains the best way to convey their vision and passion.

There is no imposing château, nor spectacular staging. We prefer to convince through the quality of our wines and the sincerity of our hospitality

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

Frequently asked questions about Château La Forêt

Where is Château La Forêt located?

The estate sits in the far south of the Périgord, within the Bergerac appellation. Vines share the land with cereals, sunflowers, plum and walnut trees, on a mixed-farming terroir.

Who are the winemakers behind Château La Forêt?

Hervé took over the estate in 1998 and was joined in 2011 by Laurence, an oenologist. Together they run a roughly 60-hectare family property.

What style of wine does the estate make?

The cuvées aim for freshness, precision and honest fruit. The rosé holds a special place and earned a gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris.

Does Château La Forêt follow an environmental approach?

Yes. The property blends several crops to support biodiversity and is working towards HVE4 certification, tending each plot through observation rather than routine.

Since when has the estate sold its wines directly?

The move to direct sales goes back to 2010, built to forge a closer bond with wine lovers. Its very first bottling followed in 2011.