news
2016 SAINT-EMILION PORTES OUVERTES: VISIT THE UNDERGROUND QUARRIES OF CLOS LA MADELEINE
30th April and 1st May 2016
THE WINERY SET UP IN THE UNDERGROUND QUARRIES OF THE CLOS LA MADELEINE ESTATE ALONE IS WORTH THE TRIP!
Saturday, 30th April and Sunday, 1st May, during the 2016 Saint-Emilion Portes Ouvertes, discover underground quarries made up as a winery!
The winery set up in the underground quarries of the Clos La Madeleine estate alone is worth the trip! This architectural heritage dating back (at least) to the 19th century is a curiosity that Cécile Paillé helps you discover with multiple anecdotes.
Clos La Madeleine is one of 91 châteaux participating in the 2016 Saint-Emilion Portes Ouvertes.
CLOS LA MADELEINE, QUARRIES AND A SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU CLASSÉ
At the foot of the estate, treat yourself by visiting the underground quarries used as a winery for aging the wine and vinification.
“Visitors are always amazed by the discreetness of the 2.20 hectare vineyard . The winery, on the scale is: tiny. This is an opportunity to present it to people fond of Grands Crus Classés. I try to convey my pleasure and my passion to work here through this”.
Cécile Paillé, deputy director of Clos La Madeleine.
Inside, you will discover all the barrels, but also the reserves of the estate: bottles and magnums, stabilized by the freshness and natural moisture of the quarries.
On the tasting side, let yourself be overwhelmed by the fruity and floral nose of Clos La Madeleine. A wine born on the side of the famous Haut Saint-Emilion hillside.
To produce this Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé wine all vineyard work is done by hand: from the trimming, through to pruning and harvesting. Even the tanks are filled manually.
“For us, it is a sign of better quality and better control of the harvest. If there are grapes or small bunches that do not suit us, we will remove them during sorting of the manual harvest”.
Cécile Paillé, deputy director of Clos La Madeleine.
A HISTORY OF OVER 150 YEARS
The Saint-Emilion Portes Ouvertes are a unique opportunity to get an idea of the Saint-Emilion vineyards, their peculiar geography and ancient customs. On arrival at Clos La Madeleine, you may be surprised by the stunning views of the Dordogne valley. Look well above the pigeon loft, you will not see a weather vane, but a representation of Saint-Valery, the protector of winemakers of Saint-Émilion. This small sculpture faces the weather from the west, to protect the vineyards of Clos La Madeleine.
The Saint-Emilion Portes Ouvertes at Clos La Madeleine, it is at least 150 years of history to discover on a vineyard managed “like a real garden”.
Information:
Open from 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm
Tel: 05 57 84 48 56