The Vineyard
Location
Located in the Bordeaux region of France, which is the largest and most famous of the French appellations, Côtes de Bourg is a small, hilly area (aka little Switzerland), influenced by its proximity to the river, which provides its own unique influences on the vines and their grapes.
As a long established organic vineyard, we do not use chemical pesticides or any herbicides to control pests and diseases, instead utilising as little as possible, organic compounds which are non carcinogenic and do not impact the bio diversity of our site.
We have fruit trees bordering the vines to encourage pollenating insects, which also help to control pests as well as flower and shrub areas.
We are totally dependant on the weather as to when we need to use any intervention, such as rain, that is so good for the growth of the vine, however, also allows mildew and other diseases to form on the leaves. We are also constrained by the “cahier de charge” rules and regulations of the appellation, notably that no irrigation is allowed in drought periods and a limit of how much wine is produced per hectare. This ensures that a lower volume of high quality product is produced compared to high volume industrial produced wine.
The Vineyard
History
There are references to the house and land, which have been found on old maps. They also show the original place name and different spellings which have developed over time such as Mont Nichoux or Mounichoux. Documents in our possession show that a vineyard has been in existence here since the 1700’s.
In the 1920’s the then owner Louis Grillet invented “The Grillet tractor” a three wheeled narrow tractor, the concept of which is now coming back into use.
The Vineyard
Grapes & Terrior
On the right bank of the Dordogne and the Garonne, at 35 km north of Bordeaux, our vineyard is located in the commune of Tauriac, it covers 15 ha mostly in a single block all around the chateau in the Côtes de Bourg appellation. The region has a specific microclimate instilled by the Gironde estuary: a significant thermal buffer compared to Bordeaux climate, solar radiation higher than about 10%, less extreme temperatures of 1 to 2 °C and, less rain between -10 and -25% depending on the year.
Our vineyard is planted on soils mostly made up of limestone and clay bringing freshness and drainage and, are perfectly suited to Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. This rich soil gives to our wines a lot of character, a good acidity, both well marked and elegant tannins and, spicy and peppery notes in the nose and palate.
Vineyard: 12 Ha
– 10.5 ha Merlot
– 0.50 ha for Malbec
– 1 ha Cabernet Sauvignon
Come Stay with us
Bed & Breakfast
All our rooms have their own en-suite shower room and are air-conditioned. The beds are a minimum of 160 x 200 (king-size) with environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced cotton bedding.
Luxury Towels and toiletries provided. Rooms are equipped with a hair dryer and tea and coffee facilities (Nespresso).
While staying with us you are welcome to explore the vineyard and have a wine tasting and/or purchase our wines.
COME STAY WITH US
Malbec Room
€110.00 per night for 2 people excluding breakfast
Breakfast €10.00 per person:
– Consisting of bread and pastries from the village baker. Locally sourced jams. Cereals, yoghurts, and fruit.
– Choice of teas, coffee and fruit juice.
– Note: If you have any special dietary requirements and/or allergies, please advise.
COME STAY WITH US
Merlot Room
€99.00 per night for 2 people excluding breakfast
Breakfast €10.00 per person:
– Consisting of bread and pastries from the village baker. Locally sourced jams. Cereals, yoghurts, and fruit.
– Choice of teas, coffee and fruit juice.
– Note: If you have any special dietary requirements and/or allergies, please advise.
Our Wines
2022 Les Bulles de Monichot
Méthode Traditionnelle rosé
Cabernet Sauvignon
Certified Organic
Other countries contact us to order
2022 Cuvée Pheonix
100% Merlot
Certified Organic
Other countries contact us to order
2022 Cuvée Francois
100% Merlot
Certified Organic
Other countries contact us to order
2023 Le Rosé
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Certified Organic
Other countries contact us to order
Recent News
-
Salons
This spring we have been launching our wine at various salons in France. A salon is a concept like an exhibition where the public can come and discover/buy wine direct from the winemaker. In February we went to Le Havre and participated in the salon Aux Vignobles. This salon hosts fine wines and food from…
-
Why Organic?
Our challenges in 2023. This year, the weather has played havoc with our vineyard. Lots of lovely rain (good for growing) and lots of sunshine has led to an unusually humid atmosphere which has not been good for our grapes. Mildew The first signs of mildew developing on the leaves of our vines was back…
-
Féte Le Vin
This week starting on Thursday the 22nd June, starts the annual event in the Bordeaux Wine calendar of “Féte Le Vin”. This is a great opportunity to visit Bordeaux and see and taste the wines of the Bordeaux region that are being offered. Our region, the appellation Côtes de Bourg and many others will be…
-
Château Monichot’s First Post
Welcome to our blog, here we aim to upload images and posts to update you, so you can follow our journey of producing tasty wine.