High in the Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon, the new Château Reaut winery is built into the hillside of the côtes (or slope) at 100m above sea level. Built in 2018, it has a 250m2 deck on its roof, surrounding the glass fronted tasting room. It’s a great location for a restaurant as it overlooks the vines of the property that run down to the Garonne river. Facing south west, it’s also perfect for sunset drinks and for the views across to Graves and Sauternes. No surprise it won the 2023 People’s Choice Award !
Unique
The property has a unique story and a unique philosophy. In 2003, the Rouzaud family, owners of Roederer Champagne, purchased Château Reaut. They were no strangers to Bordeaux, since the 1990s they had been in the left bank, at Saint Estephe, owners of Chateau de Pez and Chateau Haut Beausejour
With their expertise, the Rouzauds saw huge potential in the terroir of Château Reaut. The property was previously known as ‘La Gravière’, the French word for gravel, which says a lot about the diversity of terroir on the property. In an appellation known for its limestone and clay soils, it has a gravel terrace at the top of the slopes. These slopes provide great sun exposure, and the elevation brings gentles breezes and natural drainage.
The Rouzaud family invested heavily, replanting to a high density with vines selected from Grand Cru vineyards, and reorganising the 26ha Merlot dominated vineyard over the next 3 years. After their purchase of Château Pichon Comtesse in Pauillac in 2006, the Rouzaud approach to Bordeaux changed, concentrating on the left bank.
In 2012, they sold Reaut to a consortium of wine loving friends, six from Bordeaux and six from Burgundy, at first view not an obvious marriage.
They all became co-owners under the management of Yannick Evenou, rich from his experience as manager of Château la Dominique (former Best Of Winner) of Vignobles Fayat in Saint Emilion.
Friendship
This ownership has grown and is today shared between nearly 700 international co-owners. A unique ownership model in Bordeaux.
Members account for 60% of the sales of the wines and they visit often, especially during the harvest. It’s a fun community to belong to and it’s the investment by these owners that financed a brand new winery five years ago.
Rooftop restaurant
The new winery with its unique cements tanks was the perfect opportunity to create a restaurant. Not dissimilar from Château La Dominique, they have made full use of the roof of the cellars to create a glass fronted tasting room and restaurant with spectacular views across the valley. The owners bring friends and clients to the restaurant, but it is open to all visitors in the summer, and to private groups all year.
Yannick is convinced of the importance of wine tourism. Welcoming guests creates a unique link to the place and the product, many of whom end up being part of the consortium of owners. It’s by far the best way to communicate the brand.
The estate can welcome up to 200 guests and they do, to concerts and events throughout the summer, with sunset apéros being the perfect moment to make the most of that view.
Innovation
Constantly innovating, the property is converting to organic production. The ultra-modern cellar with its elegant, curved cement tanks favours a soft extraction of tannins and the recent introduction of terracotta amphorae has been the impetus behind a range of single varietal wines. Wines that are enjoyed by both members and visitors on the restaurant terrace and back home.
Wendy Narby