SAINT-EMILION
cHâTEAU
BALESTARD LA TONNELLE
classified great vintage
Through history
Château Balestard la Tonnelle is a property located on the heights of Saint-Emilion. The 15th century watchtower and the 21st century cellars show the age-old durability of this estate.
Passionate about architecture, the current owners have managed to keep the identity of the property while modernizing it, thus allowing it to maintain its status of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé.
A historical heritage
Legend has it that a canon named Balestard lived on the property. Music composer. His works are kept in the National Library. Several archival documents attest to the presence of a Balestard family in the Libourne area.
The Du Courrech du Raquine family, known for their aunt the painter whose works are in the Musée d’Orsay, owned Château Balestard La Tonnelle in the 19th century.
The castle Balestard La Tonnelle has crossed the centuries, metamorphosing, embellishing itself but always keeping its identity.
A unique label in the world
Château Balestard La Tonnelle has a unique label in the world as it is inscribed with a poem by François Villon. This text appears on the label since the 19th century. In this poem François Villon praises the merits of Balestard’s wine, speaking of a divine nectar. The originality of this poem lies as much in its form as in its style. In the Middle Ages, it was very rare to express your feelings. Villon was always haunted by death, but wine made him forget his neurosis.
This property is the flagship of the brand. Particular attention is paid to the selection of the plots, the demanding sorting of the grapes and the rigorous blending, giving the wine of Château Balestard La Tonnelle, the best expression of its terroir.
The capdemourlin vineyards
The Capdemourlin family is one of the oldest families of Saint-Emilion. It has been present for nearly 4 centuries in the commune of Saint-Emilion. It gave its name to a hamlet where the Château Cap de Mourlin is currently located.
Currently the twelfth and thirteenth generations of Capdemourlin manage the estate.
The Capdemourlin vineyards are composed of three properties.
- Château Balestard La Tonnelle Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
- The Château Cap de Mourlin Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé
- The Château Roudier Montagne Saint-Emilion
A family
Asserting his ambition, Jacques Capdemourlin will renovate the vineyard, build new cellars and call upon Michel Rolland and Jean-Philippe FORT, the oenologist of the Crus Classés, to give a guideline to the conception of the wine.
Passionate about his job, he is permanently present on the estate to ensure the management of the property and to follow its evolution.
For the wine business, Thierry Capdemourlin, his son, assists him and becomes the ambassador of the Capdemourlin vineyards throughout the world. For the vineyard management part, Daniel DuffonThe vineyard manager, who has been employed for fourteen years with the Capdemourlin vineyards, has been monitoring the vines, and has made Château Balestard La Tonnelle an environmentally recognized vineyard by registering the Château with the ISO 14001 standard and the EMS.
In 2017, Rémi Autier, oenologist and young cellar master, joined the team. His priority is to focus on the quality of the wines.
In 2021, François Capdemourlin, the eldest son, joined the property as Technical Director.
Jacques, François and Thierry Capdemourlin are committed to improving the quality of the wine, which continues to progress.
Castle CAP DE MOURLIN
Château Balestard La Tonnelle
Château ROUDIER
A UNIQUE PROPERTY
OWNERSHIP
Located in the northeastern part of Saint-Emilion, on the outskirts of the city, the vineyard of Chateau Balestard la Tonnelle, extends on the clay-limestone plateau.
With its particular terroir, Château Balestard La Tonnelle produces elegant, racy wines with a rare aromatic complexity. Owned by the Capdemourlin family since the 19th century, the estate’s long history is reflected in the architecture of the buildings and grounds. This property, offers a panoramic view of the city and the vineyards of the Castle. It exudes charm, tranquility and the age-old traditions of a family.
THE TONNEL
The watchtower of the Château Balestard La Tonnelle of the XVth century was undoubtedly a watchtower which was part of the defense system of the city of Saint-Emilion. Located on a strategic place, at the top of a high point, the tower allowed to watch the passage and the circulation of the surrounding cantons
a haven of silence
THE GARDENS
Passionate about Tuscany, Jacques and Françoise CAPDEMOURLIN wanted the gardens of Balestard to be a vibrant tribute to it. A true haven of peace, the terraced gardens of Balestard are home to many species, including majestic yews. Embellished with two magnificent water features, the garden is crossed in its middle by an artificial stream. The first basin is decorated in its center with a stone shell topped by an angel from which a jet of water emerges. The final basin, more imposing and deeper, is surmounted by a stone sphere recalling the elements of nature. At the bottom of the basin, papyrus come to decorate this set in the beautiful season. Romantic place, where it is good to rest when it is very hot in summer.
THE TERRACE
Overlooking the vineyard of Balestard, the terrace allows to admire the vineyards as far as the eye can see. The bell towers of Saint-Georges and Montagne are visible in the distance. In summer, beautiful geranium and sage planters add a colorful touch. Located in the corner of the terrace, a small cylindrical tower with an opening gives a romantic touch. On the balustrade, tiles, brought back from a trip, decorate this stone set.
Builders
Jacques Capdemourlin wished to magnify the Château Balestard La Tonnelle. The entrance gate leading to a long yew-lined driveway provides a majestic access to the property. The semi-underground tasting room was created from scratch in the imagination of Jacques Capdemourlin. The stones come from several properties as well as the watchtower and the imposing chimney. This warm place was the place of numerous demonstrations in the honor of the wine of Saint-Emilion.
By providing Château Balestard La Tonnelle with this infrastructure, the beginnings of wine tourism have been developed to share with visitors the history of a heritage of over 400 years.
A CASTLE COMBINING TRADITION AND AESTHETICISM
Château Balestard La Tonnelle, located on the heights of Saint-Emilion, is a magical place where stone, history and beauty mingle.
Tasting room, portal, watchtower and porch from the hospice of Oiron offered by the Marquise de Montespan in 1707.
A CHAIR WITH TECHNICITY AND MODERNITY
The building houses an exceptionally modern winery. The numerous investments respond to the will to equip the property with the most advanced techniques. After many consultations, the winery has reached a high level of technicality. Built with specific materials, this cellar allows to maximize energy savings. Inspired by ancestral know-how, and improved by research, the cellar of Château Balestard La Tonnelle symbolizes the commitment of the Capdemourlin family to magnify the wines of its terroir.
