Chateau Pradeaux

France

Winery Information

Location: Saint Cyr-Sur-Mer

Winemaker: Etienne y Cyrille PORTALIS

Properties: 26 ha. of vineyards in the low rolling hills of Bandol, near the Mediterranean coast. Red limestone clay soils, planted mostly with the variedad Mourvedre.

Production: 60,000 bottles per year, of which 40% is exported

Web: www.chateau-pradeaux.com/

Located in Saint-Cyr, on the lowlands by the Mediterranean between Toulon and Marseille, we find the 26 Ha property of Château Pradeaux. Owned by the Portalis family since 1752, the domaine Château Pradeaux was inherited by Jean-Marie-Etienne Portalis, minister under Napoleon I. Later, in 1940, the Countess of Portalis, fleeing from the German invasion of Paris, began planting Mourvedre. This variety succeeded in putting Bandol on the map and today accounts for 80% of vineyards in Pradeaux, the rest being Grenache & Cinsualt.. Having ensured the AOC for the Bandol region in conjunction with M.Peyraud (domaine Tempier), Countess Portalis passed on the reins to her nephew Cyrille in 1983. After completing his studies in Beaune and following in his aunt’s footsteps, he has become the champion of Bandol traditions.

The rocky, red clay-limestone soils at Chateau Pradeaux are ideal for cultivating Mourvedre and the vineyards are cultivated in as natural a manner as possible with reliance on organic methods. Only copper and sulphur are used as fungicides. During the spring months, sheep are permitted to graze in the vineyards thereby eliminating any need to use herbicides and at the same time providing a natural compost. Since the stems of the mourvedre variety have the advantage of not becoming herbaceous when ripe, after being crushed, the grapes are placed in vats without destemming. This adds tannins and helps to prolong the life of the wines, which can last 20 or 30 years. The wines are aged for 3 or 4 years to smooth the tannins, with 18 months in large wooden vats (foudres).