In Saint-Emilion since the beginning, winegrower for centuries, in Grand Corbin-Despagne for more than 200 years.
If we can date the origin of the vineyard to "only" two centuries, we have to go back more than 500 years to see the very first trace of the Despagne family in Saint-Émilion. Since then, each generation has distinguished itself in the vine professions until it finally took on the destiny of being a winegrower. François Despagne, the seventh generation at the helm, looks forward every day to working the land of his ancestors and having to deal with a terroir that is both unique and multiple. His curiosity and commitment led him to convert the vineyard to organic farming in 2004, an intuitive choice that respects the eco-system in which six generations lived before him. The Grand Corbin-Despagne vineyard, located on the Grand Corbin plateau and made up of characteristic blue clay soils, produces wines with freshness and elegance that know how to blossom over time.
Visits and workshops are by appointment only.
Workshops are led by people from the estate who have a degree in oenology.
Each discovery formula emphasises above all the pedagogy applied throughout the tour, from practical immersion in the vines to the discovery of technical tools and finally the tasting section.
Visit and tasting of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne :
- Classic visit : Tasting of 2 wines. Duration 1 hour at 20 € TTC / person
- Privilege Visit : Tasting of 3 wines. Duration 1h15 to 25 € TTC / person
- The discovery of the cru begins with a history of the Despagne family. Explanation in the vineyard in order to understand the stages carried out during the physiological cycle of the vine. Environmental philosophy: practice of organic farming. Presentation of the techniques used to make the different wines of the estate thanks to the passage through the vats and barrel cellars. Tasting notes on the wines presented, explanations on how to store and serve the wine. Discovery of the family wine library of old bottles from 1926 to the present day and large containers.
Workshops on the art of wine tasting and visit of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne :
- Tasting of 4 wines. Duration: 2h to 40 € TTC / person, minimum group of 8 people - 45 € TTC / person, group of 6 to 7 people - 55 € TTC / person, group of 4 to 5 people - 90 € TTC / person, group of 2 to 3 people.
- The discovery of the cru begins with a history of the Despagne family. Explanation in the vineyard in order to understand the stages carried out during the physiological cycle of the vine. Environmental philosophy: practice of organic farming. Presentation of the techniques used to make the different wines of the estate, thanks to the passage through the vats and barrel cellars. Discovery of the family cellar of old bottles from 1926 to the present day and large containers.
- Introduction to tasting and subtle aromas.
- A horizontal tasting of 3 wines of the same vintage from 2 different terroirs, a Grand Vin and a Second Vin.
- A tasting of an older vintage of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne (7 years or more) to highlight the ageing capacity of a Grand Cru Classé.
"Prestige" tasting workshops: half day
- Tasting of 6 wines. Duration: half day at 95 € TTC / person, minimum group of 8 people - For few than eight participants, please contact the Château.
- The discovery of the cru begins with a history of the Despagne family. Explanation in the vineyard in order to understand the stages carried out during the physiological cycle of the vine. Environmental philosophy: practice of organic farming. Presentation of the techniques used to make the different wines of the estate thanks to the passage through the vats and barrel cellars. Discovery of the family cellar of old bottles from 1926 to the present day and large containers.
- Introduction to tasting: the subtle flavours and aromas.
- Blind tasting of two Bordeaux grape varieties (Merlot and Cabernet-Franc) and blending trial.
Then, in order to perceive the influences that climatic variations and the passing of time have on the wines, he will follow two types of tastings :
- A horizontal tasting of 3 wines: from the same vintage from 2 different terroirs, a Grand Vin and a Second Vin.
- A vertical tasting of 3 vintages of Grand Corbin-Despagne including, exceptionally, an older vintage: a vintage from the 2010's, a vintage from the 2000's and a vintage from the 90's.
- At the end of the course, along with advice on conservation and anecdotes, everyone will be able to appreciate, understand and analyse Bordeaux wines in general and those of Grand Corbin-Despagne in particular.
An exceptional experience to discover the best kept secrets of the wines and the Cru.
"Legend" tasting workshops: full day
- Tasting of 8 wines. Duration: one day at 250 € TTC / person, minimum group of 8 people. For fewer than eight participants, please contact the Château.
- It will start with a historical, geographical and economic presentation of the Great Wines of Bordeaux.
- Initiation to tasting techniques to learn how to analyse a wine and express its visual, olfactory and gustatory sensations: odour games, tasting of acid, sweet and bitter solutions, tannins and alcohol.
- Vertical tasting of 4 vintages of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne to understand the diversity of Bordeaux vintages influenced by climatic variations and the evolution of wines over time.
- Lunch at Château Grand Corbin-Despagne based on local products.
- During the visit of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne, he will discover the great adventure of organic agriculture; he will follow the stages of the elaboration of the Château's wines in the heart of the cellars and its vats. Finally, he will discover the family cellar where the old vintages from 1926 to the present day and large containers are stored.
- He will discover the diversity of the terroirs, families and appellations of Bordeaux by visualising them on a map, the specificities of each grape variety of Bordeaux wines and the interest of blending, as well as the classifications of the Great Wines of Bordeaux.
- He will continue with a horizontal tasting of 4 wines from different French appellations allowing him to discover the influence of grape varieties, terroirs, appellations and wine-growing regions on the wines.
- He will close with advice on conservation, wine serving and wine and food pairing which will help him to magnify the wine he serves.
The aim of this workshop is to give the visitor the keys to unravel the mysteries of Grand Corbin-Despagne and the Grands Vins de Bordeaux and to discover other wine-growing regions.
Each workshop can be arranged on request, addressing a theme in more detail: Introduction to tasting, blending, vertical of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne with old vintages up to 30 years old, horizontal of Château Grand Corbin-Despagne with the other family vintages.
A meal based on local products can be proposed for each personalised workshop.
