The origins of Château Lilian Ladouys
At the source of its history
History mentions this beautiful estate and its castle as early as 1564. In Gascon, "La Doys", later becomingLadouysThe name means "the source." Located a short walk from Château Lafite Rothschild, it was originally held as a fief by the Lord of Lafite, Jacques de Becoyran. The Barre family acquired the property in the 18th century and managed the vineyard for 150 years. Significant renovations were undertaken, including the construction of the magnificent Directoire-style manor house and its two towers. Even today, the initials of Auguste Barre are visible in the stones that make up the towers. In 1850, the estate was listed among the very best in the Féret guide.Saint-EstèpheLess than 50 years later, he achieved the rank ofCru Bourgeois Supérieur, still in the same guide. This status would be officially confirmed a few years later, in 1932 and then again in 2003.
Following the First World War, a genuine economic crisis took hold. The vineyards ofChâteau Lilian LadouysHe did not escape it and found himself completely abandoned. In the mid-1980s, Christian Thiéblot and his wifeLilianbecome owners of the Castle. It is in her honor that it is renamed "Château Lilian Ladouys"Thanks to them, the property is gradually being revived. The vintages that the couple produced in 1989 and then in 1990 are particularly outstanding. They are indeed among the best wines of the appellation.
The arrival of the Lorenzetti
I fell in love with Château Lilian Ladouys
Originally the owner of the Foncia group, a European leader in property management, Jacky Lorenzetti wanted to change careers and invest his personal wealth in new ventures. Furthermore, his wife Françoise, having spent her childhood in Bordeaux, dreamed of owning her own vineyards. In 2008, the Lorenzettis fell head over heels for theChâteau Lilian LadouysThey quickly decided to become the owners, determined to enhance its fabulous land. They then embarked on an ambitious program of vineyard renewal and land consolidation. With great passion, they are striving to restore the property to its 19th-century appearance, the golden age of the wines of theMedocThe vineyard plots are being reorganized, primarily for the sake of consistency. The choice of grape varieties therefore requires careful consideration. They particularly favor plantings ofCabernet Sauvignonas well asPetit Verdot.
The Château team
The key to success
Depending on the vineyard and winery calendar, a team of between twenty and eighty people works on the estate. Together, the members of this team strive to respect the terroir. In the vineyard, in the winery, and in welcoming visitors, it is this team that gives the Château its reputation for excellence. All the methods applied in the vineyard of theChâteau Lilian LadouysThe soils are carefully studied to best suit the vineyards. They are either grassed or tilled, and green manures composed of cereals and legumes are sown. The lunar calendar also allows for experimentation with different cultivation methods. The Château Lilian Ladouys team's primary goal is to know and understand their land. By learning from previous years, each vintage is approached with greater care and ultimately improved.
