Welcome to the world of
Château Balestard La Tonnelle
A GEM IN THE HEART OF SAINT-ÉMILION
Château Balestard La Tonnelle, a Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion, stretches across 9.5 hectares of vines (11.5 hectares in total), ideally located on the heights of the village, just 800 meters from the medieval town. Perched at 89 meters above sea level, the estate proudly overlooks Saint-Émilion and enjoys a privileged position on one of the region’s most renowned terroirs: the limestone plateau.
The vineyard is composed of 75% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, a typical blend that gives rise to elegant, structured wines built for aging.
The estate belongs to the Capdemourlin family, one of the historic families of Saint-Émilion, established in the region since 1647. Jacques Capdemourlin, now the estate manager, represents the 12th generation alongside his sons Thierry and François, who make up the 13th. This long lineage is a testament to expertise passed down and refined over the centuries.
The family also owns two other properties : Château Roudier and Château Capdemourlin. Château Balestard La Tonnelle, for its part, became part of their heritage in 1923.
Le vignoble est composé de 75 % Merlot, 10 % Cabernet Franc et 15 % Cabernet Sauvignon, un assemblage typique qui donne naissance à des vins élégants, structurés et taillés pour la garde.
Le domaine appartient à la famille Capdemourlin, l’une des familles historiques de Saint-Émilion, installée dans la région depuis 1647. Jacques Capdemourlin, aujourd’hui gérant, représente avec ses fils Thierry et François la 12e et 13e génération. Cette longévité témoigne d’un savoir-faire transmis et perfectionné au fil des siècles.
La famille possède également deux autres propriétés : Château Roudier et Château Capdemourlin. Château Balestard La Tonnelle, quant à lui, a rejoint leur patrimoine en 1923.
THE CENTURIES-OLD HISTORY OF THE CHÂTEAU
The vineyard is documented as far back as the 15th century, notably thanks to a rare literary tribute: the poet François Villon himself mentions the wine of Balestard in his verses, praising “that divine nectar called Balestard.” This reference makes it one of the earliest châteaux to be mentioned in French literature.
In the 18th century, records attest to the existence of François Balestard (born in 1703), a draper merchant whose family prospered here until 1835, surviving the French Revolution unscathed.
The estate then passed through the hands of several families, each leaving its mark :
- The du Courrech de Raquine family, with Armand and then Jean-Baptiste, earned the château its first gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1867.
- In 1895, the Bertauts-Couture family became the owners. Jean Couture later passed the property on to his son Thomas, a renowned painter exhibited at the Musée d’Orsay and teacher of the famous Édouard Manet.
- In 1923, the estate was purchased by Ernest Berton, whose lineage merged with that of the Capdemourlin family when Roger Capdemourlin took over the property.
On June 16, 1955, Château Balestard La Tonnelle received the prestigious distinction of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé. Jacques Capdemourlin joined his father in 1963 and succeeded him in 1974.
The family has also played a major role in the institutional life of Saint-Émilion. The Jurade, a former medieval authority responsible for overseeing wine quality, was revived in 1948 thanks to the involvement of Jean Capdemourlin. Jacques later modernized the institution, welcoming the first two female jurats in the 1990s.
A WORLD-UNIQUE LABEL
Did you know ? The label of Château Balestard La Tonnelle is the only wine label in the world to feature an authentic medieval poem. Written by François Villon between 1431 and 1463, this poem praises Balestard’s wine as a “divine nectar”, blending lyricism with authenticity.
It wasn’t until 1928 that the Capdemourlin family rediscovered the poem and decided to include it on the label, making it a distinctive feature of the estate’s identity..
IN THE VINEYARD
Acquired in 1923, the vineyard lies on one of Saint-Émilion’s most iconic terroirs: the limestone rock — a pale, golden stone traditionally used to build the village’s monuments, and even Bordeaux’s Grand Théâtre. Quarrying of this stone became hazardous in the 19th century and was halted to preserve the stability of the subsoil — some neighboring estates even experienced dramatic collapses.
The soil, composed of fine-textured limestone, clay-limestone earth, and numerous marine fossils, gives the wines deep minerality, natural freshness, and a unique elegance.
Pruning is carried out using single or double Guyot, depending on the vine’s age and vigor. The canes are then shredded to naturally enrich the soil. Vineyard work also includes debudding, trellising, leaf thinning, soil aeration, and more.
Long cultivated under sustainable farming practices, the estate began its transition to organic viticulture in 2021, supported by the company Inovitis.
The practices include :
- Complete elimination of herbicides and insecticides
- Sexual confusion
- Natural or seeded cover crops
- Preservation of hedges and biodiversity areas
- Controlled drainage to limit the risk of mildew
The estate is certified HVE3 (2018) and ISO 14001 (2020), ensuring sustainable management of the vineyard.
A connected PROMETE weather station enables ultra-precise monitoring of the vineyard (rainfall, wind, humidity, pressure), optimizing decision-making and reducing treatments.
IN THE WINERY
The winery at Château Balestard La Tonnelle, designed by architect Claude Marty, combines aesthetic appeal with cutting-edge technology.
Gravity-Fed Vinification : To preserve grape integrity, the vinification process is gravity-driven, minimizing handling to enhance aromas and texture.
Aging Excellence : The wines are aged in french oak barrels sourced from the Tronçais Forest, chosen for their fine grain and their ability to contribute to complex, refined aromas. Each vintage represents the perfect balance between tradition and innovation.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Château Balestard La Tonnelle is not only dedicated to preserving its heritage but also to sharing its passion and expertise with visitors.
Wine tourism : A semi-underground tasting room, beautifully designed, welcomes wine enthusiasts for unforgettable moments of discovery and exchange. Guests can also stroll through the vineyards, using GPS-identified plots to recognize different grape varieties.
A historic & romantic venue : With its panoramic terrace overlooking Saint-Émilion and state-of-the-art facilities, the estate combines old-world charm with modern elegance, offering a unique blend of history and contemporary comfort.