Nicolas Bourdil
Nicolas represents the third generation of winegrowers at Château les Fontenelles. At 21 years old he decided to settle and vinify the estates' wines directly to the property creating a real transformation...
In 1999, after his studies, Nicolas invested in his own cellar for wine-making, with the support of his parents. This proved to be his true calling!
From vintage 2000, he began to realise his ability to express the characteristics of his terroir. He regularly wins medals for all his wines.
Hillside vineyards
The vineyard of 28 ha is located on the slopes of Saint Julien, exposed mainly to the South, to allow a maximum sunshine from July to September.
The exceptional terroir of the domain is divided into two slopes:
- An east-facing slope with a limestone base and many stones where the majority of the white grapes, Sauvignon and Sémillon, totalling 13,5 ha
- A west-facing slope, where an old windmill stands, that is primarily clay and some gravels, that delivers small well ripened red grapes of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
"For several generations the Bourdil Family has practiced reasoned agriculture in the maintenance and work of the vineyard to preserve the authenticity of its terroirs in its wines"
The vineyard, with a density of 3300 vines / ha to 5000 vines / ha, is partially grassed to avoid erosion and to control of the vigour of the vines, this favours the development of the phenolic compounds: Aromas, colour and tannins, of the grapes.
The cellars
The winery was built in one of the oldest and most authentic buildings on the estate.
Within white stones and large exposed beams stands a battery of stainless steel tanks, with a total storage capacity of 270,000 liters, partly thermo-regulated.
This modern equipment allows the Bourdil family to select and vinify by block and ensures the traceability of the estate's products from vinification to bottle.
The Team "Fontenelles"
Vineyard & order preparation
Vineyard & order preparation
Work of the vineyard