"Château de Monbazillac: A Tale of Wine and Tradition"
While exploring the French region of Dordogne, often referred to as "Dordogne – mille et un chateaux" (Dordogne – a thousand and one castles), one cannot overlook a visit to one of the 1001 châteaux. Due to our fondness for sweet white wines, we opted to visit Chateau de Monbazillac, beautifully situated on a hill next to the village of the same name, surrounded by vineyards. It offers an extraordinary blend of history, architecture, and knowledge of local wine production.
Located just 10 minutes away from Bergerac, the Monbazillac Castle surprises with its white, almost fairytale-like towers, nestled amidst a sea of vineyards. Erected in the 16th century by Charles d'Aydie, it has remained unchanged, untouched by the ravages of religious wars, the French Revolution, or even both World Wars. From its inception, it remained in the hands of Protestant families until 1960 when, due to bankruptcy, it was sold to a cooperative of local winemakers. Since then, all affiliated wine producers have been creating wine under the label Château de Monbazillac, lending them prestige and significance.
We begin our visit to the castle at the parking lot shaded by park trees, from where we head to the pavilion on the right. Here, we have two options for exploring: the first, cheaper option at 11 euros, allows for self-guided exploration combined with a tasting of one glass of selected wine at the castle's shop. The more expensive option at 16.50 euros offers a different tasting experience, where a sommelier in the Aromas Pavilion will offer tastings of 3 types of wine. Children under 6 have free entry and the opportunity to try organic grape juice. Apart from the chance to explore the castle's interiors, including the grand halls, library, and cellar with wine-themed children's games, tourists are offered an interactive exhibition called "Noble Wine," defining the region's identity and the oenological know-how of Monbazillac.
The road to the castle winds through vineyards, passing by the courtyard. Crossing a stable bridge with two arches, we enter the interior.
The second exhibition is dedicated to the history of the Bacalan family. The tour spans two floors: on the ground floor, you'll find the dining room, study, and portrait gallery, followed by the first floor, which houses the countess's bedroom and salon.
In the castle's cellar, there is a space designated for "little winemakers," where children can learn about grapevine growth. Through puzzle-based games, they'll explore the wine-making process and even get the chance to create a personalized label to be affixed onto a bottle of grape juice (available for purchase at the shop).
Upon exiting the castle, the park offers ample space for leisurely strolls with exceptional views of the Bergerac Valley. Surrounded by tranquility, it's a perfect setting for contemplation. It's a time to live in the present, slow down, stop for a snack, or dine at the castle's restaurant. During the season, outdoor activities are organized in the park, providing an opportunity to engage with the castle's winemakers and learn about methods for preserving the region's biodiversity.
Finally, our main goal: a visit to the shop, combined with shopping and tasting.
Chateau de Monbazillac encompasses 30 hectares of land where grapes have been cultivated for centuries, dating back to the 11th century. The local wines, evolving over hundreds of years, have undergone countless taste metamorphoses and production techniques. The wine now known as Monbazillac appellation no longer resembles the libation enjoyed by travelers in the Middle Ages or Renaissance. Today, it is a white, sweet wine that deepens in color over time, eventually achieving a stunning caramel hue. Grape harvesting takes place at an incredibly late stage, when the grapes are nearly overripe, in a process known as "Pourriture noble" or "noble rot," which develops on the white grapes under the right conditions. Sometimes, harvesters return to the same vines multiple times, picking only a few grapes each time, waiting for the optimal harvesting moment.
A portion of the produced wine is further stored in the castle's cellars.
Compared to Sauternes and other appellations from the Bordeaux region, fortunately, Monbazillac offers excellent value for money. We made quite a substantial stock-up, purchasing wine from the Tosi vintage, which will mature and wait patiently in our cellar. For now, we satisfied ourselves with buying a few bottles of grape juice.
Exploring the castle is a journey back in time to the Renaissance era, allowing you to learn the history of this place, taste wine, contemplate, and be amazed and enchanted!
Le Bourg 24240 MONBAZILLAC
+33 5 53 61 52 52
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