Love at first sight
The vineyard becomes a family affair
Fonréaud, formerlyfont-realsIt means royal fountain. The estate takes its name from the spring found there, where a king of England is said to have quenched his thirst. The estate was already planted in the 18th century and for over two centuries it rose to the top ranks of the wines ofListracEconomic circumstances and diseases weakened the estate at the end of the 19th century.Château Fonréaudfalls into disuse until the intervention ofLeo ChanfreauHe was captivated by the estate in 1962 upon returning from Algeria to settle in France. He took possession of the 17 hectares of old vines and the almost abandoned winery. The challenge was considerable, but the winemaker met each obstacle one by one. In 1978, his son Jean took over and began finishing and renovation work. The improvements made to the estate earned him membership inthe Bordeaux Wine Academyand the select circle ofthe Union of Grands Crus of BordeauxToday, the whole family works to produce quality wines that combine finesse, roundness and great aging potential.
The Château Fonréaud vineyard
Towards sustainable agriculture
The estate benefits from an ideal location: at the top of theMedocOn a surface ofseriousBetween the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde estuary, the vines benefit from a remarkable terroir. Maturity and quality of theCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdotare guaranteed every year. Aware of the potential of the local area,the Chanfreau familymakes every effort to preserve and ensure the long-term viability of the vineyard. The vines are sown with natural grasses, prevention is preferred to chemical treatments for diseases, etc. These practices continue throughout the entire production process. Indeed, corks, packaging, barrels, and vats undergo regular inspections to ensure that each link in the chain adheres to the philosophy ofTerra-Vitis.
