The Grand Moulin Estate is located 50 kms north of Bordeaux in St. Aubin de Blaye in the heart of the Côtes de Blaye wine region.The entire estate is within the 1er Côtes de Blaye appelation which stretches 35 km along the right bank of the Gironde The vineyards extends over rocky hillsides wich allow for natural drainage as well as a reheating of the ground convenient in a good maturation of grappes.
We use traditional Bordeaux grapewines for all our wines.
For the red, the so-called "black Merlot" which gives a firm fruity wine for the taste and the "Cabernet Sauvignon" for tanning ant aging.
For the white, the"White Sauvignon" which produce a fine aromatic vintage.
Historical Review
Founded in 1904, the property was named “Property du Grand Moulin”.
In addition of the buildings of exploitation which date the last century, Gabriel Bruneteau built also a pleasant mansion in the heart of the Property.
At the beginning of the eighties, the property changed name and became “Chateau du Grand Moulin”.
The great grandson Jean Francois, after a new reorganisation and purchase of plots of land, replanted the available surface with noble wines.
The wine storehouse was also modernised.
Fascinated by wines as his great grand father, its primary goal in life is to produce great quality wines.
He carries a particular care in his vineyards as well as in his wine storehouses which allow the ageing of wines in oak casks.
“Chateau Le Grand Moulin” is now available to export his production worldwide.
Location
The Domain is situated approximately 50 kms (30 miles) north of Bordeaux between Mirambeau and Blaye.
The whole property is part of 1eres Cotes de Blaye denomination, located on the right bank of the Gironde, facing great Bordeaux region such as Medoc and St Julien, located on the left bank
Soil
The whole of the property now consists of 30 hectares, a third spreads out across a gravelled plateau convenient to the production of robust red wine. The remaining two thirds are constituted by lighter ground combining sand and clay which results in producing a more subtle, fruity red wine; a few other parcels of land offer a mix of and alluvium which confers a freshness and aromatic flavour to the white wines.
Vines Transplants
The Merlot noir grape is particularly suited to the gravelled soil areas in which they are grown, his results in a subtle, fruity flavour.
The Cabernet grape acquire their powerful tannin from the sand and clay soil in which they are grown
The white sauvignon grape is exclusively grown on a sand land and mud based land which provides a slightly cooler environment. It is this coolness which is essential in producing the best results for this type of wine.
Vintage and Harvest
The quality of the soil, the way of cultivating the vine, the selection of ideal grapes picking grapes, the fine selection of the best grapes before allowing these to be pressed, the wine making, the selection of the containers, the blending and ageing in oak barrels are all factors determining the success of a great vintage and a great wine. Jean Francois himself and his family pick the grapes with great care, he does not hesitate to harvest in different timeframes thus assuring to have grapes in their best maturity stage. Sorting the grapes he selects only whose who will garantee a healthy and clean produce, this especially with the white sauvignon grape which is very sensitive for impurities dues to rotting.
Every year the acquisition of new oak barrels allows to age the white 1eres Cotes de Blaye for twelve months.
The wines are still made in the traditional way, but taking the opportunity of using modern wine making technologies where they can improve the final product.