Charlemagne 769 In 769, While Charlemagne started his reconquest of Aquitanian, he decided to establish a fortified camp close to the hillock, “Campus Francorum”
Charlemagne 769
In 769, While Charlemagne started his reconquest of Aquitanian, he decided to establish a fortified camp close to the hillock, “Campus Francorum”. This oppidum which will become Fronsac. North of the camp, on the La Rivière place, at the end of the limestone plateau which is 60 metre high (as much as the Saint Emilion church), was the mound that is still called the La Rivière mound and in which was discovered the vestige of a Gallic grave.
The emperor built a guard tower which allowed him to watch over the enemies coming from the Dordogne river or the forest around.
René Mortier Quarré 1900 - 1925
René Mortier Quarré who owned the estate at the beginning of the 20 century had the brilliant idea of ageing the wine in barrels in the underground quarries dug during the 18th century.
He also decided to use the quarries (underground galleries?) for storing the bottles until they are sold… Indeed, the storage condition are perfect (13°C, 100% humidity; darkness).
Jean Balluteaud 1925 - 1960
In 1925, Mr Balluteaud purchased the estate and decided to open the underground caves to the visitors and tell them about the optical condition to store the wine.
Inside the galleries are displayed 450 boxes where age the bottles starting from the bottling. In the underground cellars, Mr Balluteaud created the Beautiful limestone table called the “Knight Table”.
We can also admired a copy of the griddle which is in the armory room, doors cut in the limestone, all of this throughout 25 km of galleries…
Jacques Borie 1960 - 1994
Starting from the 60s, Jacques Borie focused on the vineyard and enlarged it to 45 hectares which made the property the largest of the appellation. He created the golden label with still fin on the bottle nowadays.
1962, a vintage vinified by Mr Borie, is the oldest vintage we preciously store in our the cave.
Jean Leprince 1994 - 2003
he was also the executive director of the Pinault Group from 1972 to 1988. Starting from 1994, Jean Leprince was particulrary well known for his wine trade activity in Bordeaux.
He owned different well-known Chateaux from the region, some Wine Merchant activities, a wooden box and a cooper company. He was also a printer.
During this period, the Leprince family (with the help of Xavier and Valerie Péneau, son in law and daughter of Jean Leprince) expanded the vineyard to 50 hectares, refurnished a part of the Château and upgraded the cellars.
At the same time, the owners decided to hire the famous Consulting enologist Michel Rolland who improved considerably to wine quality.
Jean Leprince accidentally died in 2002, his family sold the estate the following year.
James Grégoire 2003 - 2013
James Gregoire, who fell under the spell of the estate many years before, bought the Château De La Rivière in 2003. His ambition was to perpetuate the quality and reputation of the wine.
He hired the consulting enologist Claude Gros and decided to undertake the necessary investments not only in the vineyard but also in the cellars and in the Château.
The vineyard reached 65 hectares in 2013. As an astute businessman, he had created the grape harvester line society “Gregoire” based in Cognac which became the most famous company in its activity.
In agreement with his family, he decided to sell the property in December 2013. Shortly after the sale, Mr Gregoire and the new owner, Mr Kok tragically died in a helicopter crash.
Bolian Group since end of 2013
Since the end of 2013, Chateau de La Rivière is part of the Bolian Group which is specialized in luxury hotels and tea production in the Yunnan province.
Xavier Buffo has been at working at the Chateau de La Rivière since 1997 and he is now the current director.
The Story of the Château is still being written… More than ever in many languages throughout the world, wherever wine lovers appreciate the quality of our passionate work.
http://www.chateau-de-la-riviere.com
Parking GRATUIT(privé, sécurisé, sur place, parking PMR)
Adulte: 9 € (visite des caves souterraines, dégustation de 3 vins différents dans la boutique du château); 15 € (visite classique + visite des salons privés du château au premier étage + dégustation de 3 vins); 25 € (visite des caves souterraines, dégustation de 3 vins différents dans les caves souterraines/visite classique + Initiation à la dégustation des thés Pu'er (Province du Yunnan) avec un ambassadeur chinois); 35 € (visite des caves souterraines, dégustation de 3 vins différents, pique-nique après une visite)
Chambre d'hôtes: à partir de 137 €/nuit/1 personne
Enfant (moins de 18 ans): gratuit
Groupe adulte (à partir de 15 personnes): 6€/personne (visite des caves souterraines, dégustation de 3 vins différents dans la boutique du château); 12 €/personne (visite classique + visite des salons privés du château au premier étage + dégustation de 3 vins); 25€/personne (visite des caves souterraines, dégustation de 3 vins différents dans les caves souterraines /visite classique + Initiation à la dégustation des thés Pu'er (Province du Yunnan) avec un ambassadeur chinois)
Wi-Fi GRATUIT
http://www.chateau-de-la-riviere.com/contact-fr/