Château des Antonins

Château des Antonins is a family-owned estate in Bordeaux's Graves region, southeast of the city, built on over 800 years of winemaking history. The de Roquefeuil family has owned the château since the 1850s and today manages 38 hectares of vines on sustainable principles.

About Château des Antonins

The estate's origins trace back to the 13th century, when Antonin monks settled here for 500 years; original buildings including a chapel, monastery, and windmills remain standing today. During the late 19th century, phylloxera devastated plantations across the region, prompting the de Roquefeuil family to undertake systematic replanting and restore production. In 1985, Geoffroy and Martine de Roquefeuil introduced sustainable farming practices. Their son Antoine became head winemaker in 2016, bringing expertise from New Zealand to sharpen the estate's winemaking vision.

The vineyard divides into two distinct terroir blocks. Seven hectares of white grapes—80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon—grow on sandy-loam soils that deliver lifted acidity and elegance. The remaining 31 hectares support reds: 65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc planted on clay-gravel soils. This soil composition naturally concentrates fruit in the red wines while keeping them supple and structured.

Winemaking here prioritises expression over extraction. The whites rest on their skins for 12 hours—a brief maceration that builds complexity—before fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel, with regular lees stirring to enhance texture. Red fermentations take place over three to four weeks in stainless steel vessels, where racking and pump-overs are applied with careful control. Critically, neither wine sees oak—a deliberate decision to preserve freshness, pure fruit character, and food compatibility. This approach reflects Antoine's philosophy shaped by years in New Zealand's cooler-climate traditions.

Château des Antonins Wines in Our Collection

The 2024 Bordeaux Blanc blends 80% Sauvignon Blanc with 20% Sémillon fermented in stainless steel. It scored 89 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards and delivers grapefruit, white peach, and flinty minerality—the skin maceration adding subtle depth without heaviness. This is a white for seafood, vegetable dishes, and warm-weather drinking.

The 2020 Bordeaux Supérieur combines 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, unoaked and brimming with red cherry, spice, and black fruit. It earned 87 points from Andreas Larsson and 89 from James Suckling, with scores ranging from 84 to 89 across multiple critics. This wine balances richness with freshness—no oak tannins to hide behind, just pure fruit concentration and approachability. A versatile choice for everyday drinking or food pairing.

Both wines represent the estate's philosophy: restraint in technique, respect for fruit quality, and wines built to be drunk with pleasure rather than contemplated in isolation. The Supérieur is the workhorse; the Blanc is your answer when you want brightness and minerality.

Food Pairing

The unoaked Bordeaux Supérieur pairs naturally with roasted chicken, duck confit, charcuterie, and beef stews where you want wine to enhance rather than dominate. The Blanc shines alongside oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, asparagus, and summer salads. Both wines' lifted acidity cuts through richness without requiring elaborate cuisine—they work as well at a bistro table as at a formal dinner.

What makes Château des Antonins different from other Bordeaux producers?

The estate produces exclusively unoaked wines—a deliberate choice that preserves fruit purity and freshness. Sustainable farming, stainless-steel fermentation, and fruit-focused winemaking set them apart from traditional oak-aged Bordeaux.

Why does the Bordeaux Blanc undergo skin maceration?

A 12-hour skin maceration extracts aromatics and adds complexity to the white wine before fermentation in stainless steel. This technique balances lifted acidity and fresh fruit character.

What is the soil composition, and does it matter?

White grapes grow on sandy-loam soils lending elegance and acidity. Red grapes are on clay-gravel soils that concentrate fruit. This separation ensures each wine reaches its natural potential.

Who makes Château des Antonins wines?

The de Roquefeuil family, who have owned the estate since the 1850s. Antoine de Roquefeuil became head winemaker in 2016, bringing expertise from New Zealand to lead the Graves-based château's sustainable 38-hectare operation.

What style of wine does Château des Antonins make?

Unoaked whites (80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon) with lifted acidity and flinty minerality, scoring 89 points; and unoaked reds (65% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon) delivering red cherry and spice, scoring 87 points. Both prioritize freshness and food compatibility.

How much does Château des Antonins wine cost?

Between £12.80 and £13.10 per bottle. The 2024 Bordeaux Blanc is £12.80; both red offerings—2020 and 2022 Bordeaux Supérieur—are priced at £13.00 and £13.10 respectively.