Château des Bachelards

Château des Bachelards

An organic and biodynamic estate in Fleurie, in the northern Beaujolais, founded around the year 1100 by the monks of Cluny. 18 hectares of which 6 in AOC Fleurie, plus Beaujolais-Villages, Saint-Amour and Moulin-à-Vent. Gamay on pink granite and rare blue clays. The Clos des Bachelards monopole, awarded up to 98/100.

There are estates that make wine, and others that tell of a place. Founded around the year 1100 by the Benedictine monks of Cluny, Château des Bachelards clearly belongs to the second category. Nestled in Fleurie, in the northern Beaujolais, this winemaking jewel moves forward with a simple and formidably effective idea: to let the earth speak, without ever stifling it.

Fleurie "Clos des Bachelards" (Monopole)

Red - AOC Fleurie, Gamay, organic and biodynamic

The estate's emblematic cuvee: a historic monopole in Fleurie, on ultra-rare blue clays, found nowhere else in the Beaujolais. Velvety texture, grave depth and singular substance. A great terroir wine, awarded up to 98/100 by critics.

Fleurie

Red - AOC Fleurie, Gamay, organic and biodynamic

The estate's Fleurie, on the pink granite that brings finesse, energy and verticality. An elegant, precise Gamay, full of relief, true to the Bachelards signature.

Paquerette

Red - AOC Fleurie, Gamay

Another reading of Fleurie, generous and luminous: Gamay on pink granite, on fruit and freshness, in an accessible, sincere style.

Moulin-à-Vent

Red - AOC Moulin-à-Vent, Gamay

The estate's most structured cru: a dense, deep Gamay, cut out for cellaring, a powerful and refined expression of the granitic terroirs of the northern Beaujolais.

Saint-Amour

Red - AOC Saint-Amour, Gamay, organic and biodynamic

A tender, fragrant cru, on red fruits and fine elegance: the Bachelards Gamay in a supple, elegant and generous reading.

Petite Fleur

Red - AOC Beaujolais-Villages, Gamay, organic and biodynamic

The estate's most accessible cuvee: a crunchy, sincere Beaujolais-Villages, on fruit, freshness and immediate pleasure, already marked by the estate's organic and biodynamic demand.

Organic and biodynamic Fleurie, direct from the estate

The Clos des Bachelards, a Fleurie monopole

On ultra-rare blue clays, found nowhere else in the Beaujolais, the estate's historic monopole gives a Gamay of singular depth and texture. Organic and biodynamic since 2007 (AB, Demeter, Biodyvin), vinified without carbonic maceration or artificial yeasts: a great terroir wine, awarded up to 98/100.

What sets a biodynamic Fleurie, like the Clos des Bachelards, apart from a Fleurie vinified by carbonic maceration?

Carbonic maceration, common in the Beaujolais, favours immediate fruit and a supple texture, often to drink young. At Château des Bachelards, the choice is the opposite: no carbonic maceration, no artificial yeasts, controlled extractions and long times, with patient ageing in amphorae, concrete vats, foudres and sometimes barrels. Combined with biodynamics and the blue clays of the Clos, this gives deeper, more textured wines, with precise and complex aromas, a real structure and a strong ageing potential, rather than only immediate pleasure.

Where is Château des Bachelards located?

In Fleurie, in the northern Beaujolais, at the heart of the crus. The vineyard covers 18 hectares, of which 6 hectares in AOC Fleurie, complemented by plots in Beaujolais-Villages, Saint-Amour and Moulin-à-Vent: a true mosaic of places.

What is the history of Château des Bachelards?

The estate was founded around the year 1100 by the Benedictine monks of Cluny. After the monastic heritage, a long family history, the organic conversion and biodynamics, it is today part of a new phase: preserving winemaking excellence while developing a place of sharing, welcome and transmission.

Is Château des Bachelards organic?

Yes: since 2007, no synthetic chemical product has been used. The estate is certified Organic Agriculture (FR-BIO-15), Demeter and Biodyvin. At Château des Bachelards, nature is not a marketing argument, it is a working framework.

What is the Clos des Bachelards?

The beating heart of the estate: a historic monopole in Fleurie, a living clos rich in biodiversity. It rests on ultra-rare blue clays, found nowhere else in the Beaujolais, which give the wine a velvety texture, a grave depth and a singular substance. The Fleurie Clos des Bachelards cuvee has been awarded up to 98/100.

Which appellations does the estate produce?

A mosaic of crus and appellations of the northern Beaujolais: AOC Fleurie (including the Clos des Bachelards monopole), Moulin-à-Vent, Saint-Amour and Beaujolais-Villages. Each place is vinified because the terroir deserves it, not out of habit.

Which grape does Château des Bachelards grow?

Gamay, the king grape of the Beaujolais. On the pink granite of Fleurie, it gains in finesse, energy and verticality; on the blue clays of the Clos des Bachelards, it gains relief, structure and depth.

What are the cuvees of Château des Bachelards?

In Fleurie: the Clos des Bachelards monopole, as well as the Fleurie and Paquerette cuvees. In cru: Moulin-à-Vent and Saint-Amour. And in villages appellation, the Petite Fleur (Beaujolais-Villages). All in Gamay, in organic and biodynamic farming.

How are the estate's wines vinified?

Against the grain of Beaujolais habits: no carbonic maceration, no artificial yeasts, controlled extractions and long times. Ageing is patient, in amphorae, concrete vats, foudres and sometimes barrels. The aim: wines that last over time, evolve and leave a lasting mark.

What is the blue-clay terroir of the Clos des Bachelards?

Ultra-rare blue clays, found nowhere else in the Beaujolais, present on the Clos des Bachelards. They give the wines a velvety texture, a graver depth and a singular sense of substance, where the pink granite of Fleurie brings finesse, energy and verticality.

What is the style of the Château des Bachelards wines?

A rare signature: an almost Burgundian elegance in the detail, combined with a generosity and substance that recall the great wines of the Rhône. Terroir wines, structured and deep, that change the way the Beaujolais is seen and reveal themselves over time.

Can you buy the Château des Bachelards wines directly?

Yes: the cuvees are available here, direct from the estate, carefully shipped across France and Europe.

Direct from the estate, organic and biodynamic Fleurie

Château des Bachelards - an organic and biodynamic estate in Fleurie, in the northern Beaujolais, founded around the year 1100 by the monks of Cluny: 18 hectares of which 6 in AOC Fleurie, Gamay on pink granite and rare blue clays, certified Organic (FR-BIO-15), Demeter and Biodyvin since 2007.

Fleurie Clos des Bachelards (Monopole, up to 98/100), Fleurie, Paquerette, Moulin-à-Vent, Saint-Amour and Petite Fleur (Beaujolais-Villages)