Château Du Tertre Winery Guide

Winery Overview

Château du Tertre has had a long, fascinating history – it is one of the oldest properties in the Margaux region of Bordeaux. Discovering this property is heaven for historians and those interested in the story of wine! It has seen good times, bad times, and a lot in between. Early records show that the estate was owned by Thomas de Montaigne, a nobleman in the 1590s, and in the late seventeenth century, the Marquis de Segur was the owner. It survived (barely) destruction during the French Revolution and came under the ownership of a Saxon called Heinrich Koenigswater. Just another example of the melting pot that is Bordeaux – Irish merchants, German owners, and French consultants!

Speaking of wine merchants, the property passed into the hands of Belgian merchants called De Wilde. From 1960, Philippe Capbern-Gasqueton also owned another Château in the region, Calon-Segur. As with other Bordeaux estates, the global depression and Second World War in the 20th century hit the property’s fortunes hard, and he found it in poor condition. Gasqueton re-energized the vineyards and produced some excellent wines during his ownership. However, the major turnaround for the Château came in 1997 when Eric Albada Jelgersma, already the new owner of another estate, brought the property and vowed to make it a leading light in the region. He soon got to work, building a new wine-making center in 1999, virtually rebuilding the run-down chateau, and adding a new pool and orangery. Perfect for those long summer days!

This Château has not always had a fantastic reputation for its wines, mainly attributable to the difficulties of the Second World War and subsequent neglect. However, since Albada took over the property, there is no doubt that its wines have gained enormous prestige. Expect sweet, blackcurrant aromas and understated elegance. On our VIP tours, you can taste the fine wines of Château du Tertre on a private collector’s tour and enjoy lunch in their delightful orangery.

Further Reading

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French Wine Classifications

Discover the rich history and traditions that have shaped French wine production, from the creation of regulated appellations to the rise of natural wines.

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Author

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James lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

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