Petit Village

History of Château Petit-Village

The history of Château Petit-Village dates back several centuries, although few documents survive from before the French Revolution. The estate's name is said to come from the layout of its buildings, which resemble the shape of a small village. It was in 1919, after the First World War, that the estate entered a new era under the ownership of Bordeaux wine merchant Fernand Ginestet, marking the first acquisition of a château in the Libournais by a merchant.

Over the years, several families and companies have shaped the identity of Château Petit-Village. In the 1950s, after the terrible frost of 1956, a significant portion of the vineyards was replanted. Unfortunately, too high a proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon was chosen, affecting the quality of the wines. It was not until the 1970s, under the management of Bruno Prats, that the vineyard was restructured and Cabernet Sauvignon replaced with Merlot, the emblematic grape variety of Pomerol.

In 1989, the estate was acquired by AXA Millésimes, under the direction of Jean-Michel Cazes. This insurance group invested in modernising the château, notably with the renovation of the cellars and the replanting of vines. However, it was in 2020 that Château Petit-Village began a true renaissance with its purchase by the Moulin family, who also own Château Beauregard. Under the direction of Vincent Priou, and with the support of Augustin Belloy, the Moulin family aspires to raise Château Petit-Village to the level of the greatest estates in Pomerol, such as Trotanoy or Le Pin.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Petit-Village

Château Petit-Village enjoys a privileged location at the top of the Pomerol plateau, at an altitude varying between 35 and 38 metres. Its 10.5-hectare vineyard is composed of a single block, forming almost an equilateral triangle. This terroir, the true heart of the appellation, is characterised by deep gravels enveloped in clay and light sands, resting on a clay subsoil and iron pan, typical of the great Pomerol wines. These gravels, mixed with quartz and flint, give the wine a unique structure and an exceptional capacity for ageing.

The estate's grape varieties are composed mainly of Merlot (75%), which brings roundness, velvety texture and generosity to the wines. Alongside it, Cabernet Franc (18%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (7%) add complexity, structure and depth. Each plot of the vineyard is carefully planted with the grape variety best suited to its characteristics, thus ensuring a perfect harmony between the vine and the terroir.

The average age of the vines is 30 years, and since 2020, a large part of the vineyard has been replanted to improve the quality and consistency of the vintages. In addition, Château Petit-Village is in the process of obtaining organic certification, marking a strong commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture.

Vinification at Château Petit-Village

The vinification process at Château Petit-Village is both traditional and innovative, combining ancestral methods with modern techniques to optimise the potential of the terroir. Each harvest is carried out by hand, ensuring a meticulous selection of the best grapes at optimal maturity. The estate has a modern vat room, renovated in 2006, composed of temperature-controlled concrete vats of different sizes, ranging from 35 to 80 hectolitres, allowing for tailor-made fermentation adapted to the characteristics of each plot.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels, bringing finesse and complexity to the wine. The ageing process takes place in French oak barrels for about 15 months, with a proportion of new wood varying between 60 and 70% depending on the vintage. The estate also uses clay amphorae and glass globes to refine certain batches, in a constant search for balance and aromatic precision.

The cuvées of Château Petit-Village

Château Petit-Village produces several cuvées that reflect the richness and diversity of its terroir.

Château Petit-Village - Grand Vin

The estate's main cuvée, the Grand Vin of Château Petit-Village, is a true expression of the expertise and unique terroir of Pomerol. With a predominance of Merlot (about 60%) and a significant proportion of Cabernet Franc (40%), this wine displays a deep colour and intense aromas of black fruits, violet and spices. On the palate, it is distinguished by its silky structure, exceptional length and remarkable ageing capacity. The great vintages can be kept for at least 25 years, offering increasing complexity over time.

Recent improvements to the vineyard and vinification methods have allowed this cuvée to reconnect with the elite of Pomerol's great wines. The 2020 vintage is considered one of the best ever produced by the estate, confirming the exceptional potential of Château Petit-Village.

Le Jardin de Petit-Village

Created in 1996, Le Jardin de Petit-Village is the estate's second wine. Unlike some second wines produced from less qualitative plots, this cuvée is made from vines planted on the Pomerol plateau, thus benefiting from the same care and terroir as the grand vin. This wine offers great complexity, with a supple and harmonious palate. It is often considered one of the best value-for-money wines in the appellation, accessible from its early years while retaining an honourable ageing potential.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most notable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to delight fine wine enthusiasts. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to offer wines of exceptional quality, thus cementing the appellation's reputation amongst Bordeaux's finest.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate rivals in excellence. Beyond the legendary Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, or even Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the great classified growths of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, which will delight connoisseurs of fine wines. 

Château Petit-Village is now an essential property in the Pomerol appellation, combining tradition and modernity to produce exceptional wines. Under the direction of the Moulin family and with the expertise of Vincent Priou, this estate is undergoing a renaissance, promising increasingly refined and complex vintages. Whether for the Grand Vin or the Jardin de Petit-Village, Pomerol enthusiasts will find here cuvées that meet their expectations, combining elegance, power and longevity. With a strong commitment to sustainable and organic viticulture, Château Petit-Village is also part of a responsible and environmentally friendly approach.