Chateau de Fesles
LOCATION: BONNEZEAUX near Thouarcé in Anjou - West of France, 30km south of Angers, 300km from Paris.
HISTORY: Built in 1070 - the Chateau de Fesles is one of the oldest estates in the region - on the summit of one of the four hills possessing the right to use the appellation Bonnezeaux, it dominates the Layon Valley. In 1991 the property was entirely renovated. Today, the installation is a reference in Anjou, and considered as one of the most premium estates in the region.
Headed by Bernard GERMAIN since 1996, Chateau de Fesles produces the great sweet wine "Bonnezeaux" - as well as - Anjou Villages - and - Anjou Rouge 'Vieilles Vignes" (old vines) , dry white wines - Anjou Blanc - and - Anjou Blanc "la Chapelle" - and finally the delicate Rosé d'Anjou.
PRODUCTION AREA: Area of the estate : 35 hectares on one of the highest hill of the region, separated in two parts:
- the hillside, planted with 100% Chenin Blanc, the only grape allowed for Bonnezeaux wines, also used for the Anjou Blanc.
- the plateau: planted with mainly cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon dedicated to the production of Anjou Villages and Anjou Rouge 'Vieilles Vignes"
AVERAGE AGE OF THE VINES: 50 years
Soil & subsoil : pebbly ground, siliceous, covered with decomposed schist and blue or red clay. Ideal growing area for the Chenin variety. The closeness of the Layon provides morning mist, which favour the developpement of Botrytis, or "Noble Rot".
VINIFICATION & MATURATION: Harvest : by successive "tri" - or bunches selection. The grapes are hand-picked. The old wines no to be vinified nor matured in oak barrels are the Anjou Rouge "Vieilles Vignes" and the Rosé d'Anjou
(c) 2007 Château de Fesles - F- 49380 Thouarcé - Tél.: + 33 (0) 2 41 68 94 00 Fax: +33 (0)2 41 68 94 01 Email : info@fesles.com