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Château Fontesteau
Château Fontesteau, organic Haut-Médoc (Cru Bourgeois Sup.): cabernet-led red, direct from the estate...
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Château Fontesteau - A Haut-Médoc treasure between thousand-year history and modern winemaking
Château Fontesteau - Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur (Saint-Sauveur, Gironde)
Château Fontesteau is a Haut-Médoc estate in Saint-Sauveur, Gironde, a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur converted to organic farming.
A keep standing since 1277, lands shaped since the Iron Age, a terroir of deep gravel and a full conversion to organic farming: Château Fontesteau crafts powerful, sincere Haut-Médoc reds, today a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, to discover direct on Avenue des Vins.
Château Fontesteau is far more than a wine estate: it is a site steeped in centuries of history, shaped by human hands since the Iron Age. In the heart of the Haut-Médoc, this emblematic property blends medieval heritage, winegrowing expertise and a contemporary commitment to a vineyard turned towards the future.
In the beginning: an estate marked by the Iron Age
Around twenty years ago, while the Fontesteau pond was being dredged, Professor Leblanc, a palaeometallurgist at the University of Toulouse, confirmed the existence of former Gallo-Roman ironworking activity. A fragment of history that reminds us these lands were already a place of production and trade long before the arrival of the vine.
Although many archives disappeared after the Battle of Castillon in 1453, one date stands as a landmark: 1277, the year the medieval building was erected, of which the keep still remains today, adorned with a coat of arms bearing scallop shells. A symbol marking the passage of the via podiensis, one of the historic routes to Santiago de Compostela.
Fontesteau, a land of wines for centuries
While the exact arrival of the vine at the château is hard to date, the fame of its red wines goes back several centuries. This terroir of deep gravel and iron-rich soils, typical of the Haut-Médoc, has shaped powerful, balanced wines with a highly distinctive aromatic signature.
In 2020, this constant pursuit of excellence was rewarded: Château Fontesteau became a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur.
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A modern revival led by visionary families
The modern winemaking history of Fontesteau took a turn in 1984, when Dominique Fouin took over the estate. The vineyard gradually expanded to reach 35 hectares, while its commercial reach took on a new dimension.
In 1997, the Immelknepper family bought the historic building, fully restored it and continued the investments alongside Dominique Fouin. On his passing in 2017, his daughter Sabine Fouin took over the management and brought fresh momentum, faithful to the spirit of the estate while accelerating its ecological transition.
A firm commitment: a full conversion to organic farming
Since late 2019, Château Fontesteau has pursued an ambitious environmental transition. The full conversion to organic farming, made official in 2020, now places the estate among the most terroir-respectful properties in the Médoc. This choice can be tasted in the growing precision, freshness and sincerity of the wines.
The cuvées of Château Fontesteau: a journey through the vintages
As vintages and availability change, the selection shown on Avenue des Vins may vary. Here are a few of the estate's emblematic cuvées.
Château Fontesteau 2018
Red - Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Rich, intense and flavoursome, a sun-filled cuvée that charms with its balance.
Château Fontesteau 2019
Red - Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
A vibrant, precise and generous red, praised for its aromatic finesse.
Variation Rouge 2007 & 2008
Red - rare cellar-worthy cuvées
Rare cuvées, witnesses to time, with evolved and complex aromas that reveal the superb ageing potential of Fontesteau wines.
Careful shipping across France and Europe
Château Fontesteau: a fascinating past and a winemaking turned towards tomorrow
Between its medieval keep, its preserved biodiversity, its unique soils and the passion of the family behind it, the estate keeps writing a singular story in the Haut-Médoc. Every bottle reveals a part of this thousand-year-old heritage.
Which vintage would you like to discover first ?
Among the estate's cuvées, which year appeals to you most ?
Why choose Château Fontesteau
A thousand-year heritage. A 1277 keep, a Gallo-Roman ironworking past and the Santiago pilgrim route: every bottle carries a history that is rare in the Médoc.
A Cru Bourgeois Supérieur. Awarded in 2020, a mark of recognised quality on the Haut-Médoc appellation.
An organic vineyard. Full conversion to organic farming made official in 2020, for wines that are more precise, fresh and true to their terroir.
A gravel terroir. Deep gravel and iron-rich Haut-Médoc soils, behind powerful, balanced reds with a highly distinctive signature.
Direct from the estate. You order as close as possible to the producer, with no needless middleman and careful shipping across France and Europe.
Your questions about Château Fontesteau
Where is Château Fontesteau located ?
Château Fontesteau is located in Saint-Sauveur, in the Gironde (33250), in the heart of the Haut-Médoc appellation, north of Bordeaux. The estate is built around a medieval property whose keep dates back to 1277.
What is the appellation of Château Fontesteau wines ?
Château Fontesteau wines are in the Haut-Médoc appellation. The estate has been classified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur since 2020, a distinction that rewards the consistency and quality level of its red wines.
What is a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur ?
Cru Bourgeois Supérieur is one of the three tiers of the Crus Bourgeois du Médoc classification (Cru Bourgeois, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel). This regularly revised ranking recognises châteaux for the quality of their wines and their work. Château Fontesteau has held Cru Bourgeois Supérieur status since 2020.
Are Château Fontesteau wines organic ?
Yes. Château Fontesteau began a full conversion to organic farming in late 2019, made official in 2020. The estate is among the most terroir-respectful properties in the Médoc, a choice reflected in the precision and freshness of the wines.
Which grape varieties make up Château Fontesteau wines ?
Like the great reds of the Haut-Médoc, Château Fontesteau wines are led by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a touch of Petit Verdot. This Bordeaux blend gives structured wines built for ageing.
What type of wine does Château Fontesteau produce ?
Château Fontesteau produces mainly Haut-Médoc red wines: powerful, balanced wines with a highly distinctive aromatic signature, shaped by a terroir of deep gravel and iron-rich soils.
Which vintages and cuvées does the estate offer ?
Among the emblematic cuvées are Château Fontesteau 2018 (rich, sun-filled and balanced) and the 2019 (vibrant, precise and generous). The Variation Rouge 2007 and 2008 are rare cuvées, with evolved aromas, that show the fine ageing potential of Fontesteau wines.
How long can Château Fontesteau wines be kept ?
These are Haut-Médoc wines built for ageing. Recent vintages benefit from several years in the cellar to gain complexity, and the Variation Rouge 2007 and 2008 cuvées, still expressive, show that the estate's wines cellar well over the long term.
Which dishes pair with Château Fontesteau wines ?
These Haut-Médoc reds pair naturally with red meats, lamb, game and slow-cooked dishes, as well as matured cheeses. With an older vintage, favour delicate dishes that let the wine's evolved aromas shine.
Who runs Château Fontesteau ?
The estate has been run since 2017 by Sabine Fouin, daughter of Dominique Fouin who took over the property in 1984. She brings fresh momentum, faithful to the spirit of the estate, while accelerating its ecological transition.
Which Château Fontesteau wine makes a good gift ?
For a gift, a Château Fontesteau 2018 or 2019 is a safe choice to discover the estate's style. To mark an occasion, a rare and evolved Variation Rouge 2007 or 2008 will delight lovers of cellar-worthy Médoc wines.
Where can you buy Château Fontesteau wines directly ?
The available Château Fontesteau cuvées can be ordered directly on Avenue des Vins, as close as possible to the producer, with careful shipping across France and throughout Europe. The selection and vintages on offer change with each delivery.
Direct from the estate, in the heart of the Haut-Médoc
Château Fontesteau - a Haut-Médoc estate in Saint-Sauveur (Gironde), a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur since 2020, converted to organic farming.
Age-worthy red wines, between medieval heritage and organic winemaking