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THE WINE ESTATE

In the heart of Saint-Emilion

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Tradition and modernity

Tradition and modernity are the red threads of the estate. Respect for the heritage of French wine traditions combined with the modernization of work tools for the production of exceptional wines is at the heart of the project. The cultivation of the vineyard in the field takes into account the seasonal and climatic natural cycles. Respect for soil properties and the delicate introduction of modern tools are essential at every stage of production. In particular, in order to create a very high quality wine, a conservation agriculture has been set up and the double cord size technique is used.

region

Saint-Emilion is a prestigious Bordeaux municipality whose vineyards are on the UNESCO World Heritage List as «an outstanding example of a historic vineyard landscape that has remained intact».

Saint-Emilion is situated on the right bank of the Dordogne and is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. The local climate is less maritime and more continental, with a wide daily temperature variation. The soils are extremely diverse and form a terroir predominantly used for Cabernet Franc and Merlot grape varieties.

Vineyard

Château La Grâce Dieu des Prieurs is right in the middle of an imaginary straight line between the bell towers of the towns of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. A distinctive feature of the local terroir is a high content of iron oxide in sandy-argillaceous and calcareous soils. The vineyards of Château La Grâce Dieu des Prieurs occupy several land parcels with a total area of ​​8.5 hectares and produce the following grape varieties: 90% Merlot (red grapes) and 10% Cabernet Franc (red grapes). In addition, 1 hectare is allocated to Chardonnay (white grapes). A total of 60,000 vines allow production of 35,000 bottles of the appellation Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.

Infrastructure

Surrounded by vineyards, the château buildings are connected by an underground gallery.
The proximity to the vine ensures delicate treatment of grapes and allows preserving the crop as much as possible. Unique engineering solutions used in construction of the château support uninterrupted operation of the automated production process, from grapes reception to aging. After completion of the fermentation process, grape juice under the influence of gravitational force trickles down from the tanks into casks in the circular cellars located directly under the fermentation room, on the lower level of the underground gallery. The future Grand Cru is then aged strictly for 20 months in Radoux Blend fine-grained oak casks, which give the wine of Château La Grâce Dieu des Prieurs its characteristic flavor. This is an extremely important detail allowing to reveal all aromatic properties of the grapes.

Architecture

The Vat & the Cellar

The unique cylindrical structure is the synergy of architectural design and advanced winemaking practices, the «ground zero» of Château La Grâce Dieu des Prieurs. The shape and technical equipment of the cylinder ensure optimal conditions and technological continuity of each stage of post harvest handling.
On the outside, a circular panorama resembling an allegorical fresco depicts the life of a wine estate.
Inside the Vat are mirror surfaces of stainless steel fermentation and blending tanks. Circular design of the wine cellars on the lower level of the underground gallery, with a finish resembling massive rock, allows to simultaneously store all vintages of the renovated château.

The vatThe cellar

The Girondine

Restored in the greatest respect of the rules of the art, reigns in the center of this work on a human scale.

The fortin

Nineteenth century madness, is proudly planted in the middle of vineyards and remote dialogue with the main site. This exceptional house offers its guests a moment out of time. A large greenhouse was created, such as a glass chapel playing with the steeples of the roof, housing an impressionist fresco of glass and light.

The fortin

the Belvedere

In the East, is so named for its panoramic terrace roof. It is an agricultural architecture, whose imposing apparent structure is invaded by the vegetation and the vine on three facades. The fourth facade, turned towards the vat room, takes the materiality of a deep mirror tinged with red, reflecting the scenes of life of the farmyard thus created.

The Ombrelle

Located to the west of the estate is a curved roof placed all the way above the vines. This fine locksmith building is intended for labeling and crating. It also serves as a tasting room.

the barrels

The entire fleet of Radoux Blend barrels is renewed every harvest. By selecting exclusively the extra fine grain pieces of wood, breeding reveals the characteristics of the product, to perfect its rich organoleptic properties. This perfect harmony between wood and wine is the most beautiful cradle for raising the vintages of the Russian Art Collection to their full maturity.

The crypt

This box of glass and concrete contains two cellars just under the vat room where the precious juice flows after vinification. They allow indifferently to carry out the malolactic fermentations and the raising of the wines in the barrels of oak wood. Precise control of temperature and hygrometry is performed.