Appellation : Castillon – Côtes de Bordeaux
Chateau Ampélia
The story of Ampélia is about a meeting, a challenge and a conviction.
In 1996, three years before acquiring the lands of Ampélia, François Despagne inherited the Grand Corbin-Despagne estate from his family, making it the seventh generation of his family at the helm of this Saint-Emilion property.
François then eagerly sought a new challenge and created a new vineyard –this time, not in Saint-Emilion, but in Castillon – Côtes de Bordeaux, the bordering appellation.
Having scanned the Castillon region, François Despagne was drawn to a special location where the vines overlooked the plateau of Saint-Philippe d’Aiguilhe, at 110 metres altitude, the highest point in the whole of the Bordeaux area.
Chateau Ampélia
Appellation : Castillon – Côtes de Bordeaux
The story of Ampélia is about a meeting, a challenge and a conviction.
In 1996, three years before acquiring the lands of Ampélia, François Despagne inherited the Grand Corbin-Despagne estate from his family, making it the seventh generation of his family at the helm of this Saint-Emilion property.
François then eagerly sought a new challenge and created a new vineyard –this time, not in Saint-Emilion, but in Castillon – Côtes de Bordeaux, the bordering appellation.
Having scanned the Castillon region, François Despagne was drawn to a special location where the vines overlooked the plateau of Saint-Philippe d’Aiguilhe, at 110 metres altitude, the highest point in the whole of the Bordeaux area.
The owner's pitch.
“The common thread that runs through my work as a wine grower is anticipation, respect and stability, in order to make the best wine possible in each vintage,” says François Despagne, who applies the same golden rules in each of his vineyards. “Through careful observation and decision-making throughout the whole of the growing season, I aim to produce a precise, well-defined wine that respects its terroir and its identity.”
Throughout every stage of the growing season, François Despagne demonstrates a deep respect for the terroir and its identity. Constantly attached to his land, he even chose to begin converting his vineyard in 2010 to certified organic status -a choice that reinforced his commitment to quality and high standards of vine growing.
Focus on the Chateau.
Surface area
8.8 hectares
Wine types
Red
Ageing
1/3 new barrels
2/3 one-year-old barrels
Grape varieties
80% Merlot
20% Cabernet Franc
Environmental protection
Organic farming and wine certified since 2018, controlled by Qualisud FR-BIO-16
Open for tours
By appointment
Wines.
The wines of Château Ampélia offer the freshness and mineral character that come from the limestone soils of Saint-Philippe d’Aiguilhe in Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux, where these wines thrive. They are even pleasant to drink young and can be very attractive for consumers who don’t like to wait for their bottles to age.
This wine can be enjoyed young after decanting. However, it has an ageing potential of 10 years depending on vintages.
How to contact the Chateau.
Address
SCV Despagne Audebert
3 Barraillot
33330 Saint-Émilion
France
Phone
+33 5 57 51 08 38
E-mail
f-despagne@grand-corbin-despagne.com
Website
grand-corbin-despagne.com
