At the heart of its historic 60-hectare estate, Château de Malle, a Grand Cru Classé since 1855, has undertaken an ambitious restructuring of its vineyard since 2024. Straddling the prestigious Graves and Sauternes appellations, this single-block vineyard benefits from a remarkable diversity of soils – including gravel, clay, stony sands and limestone – spread across the communes of Preignac, Fargues and Toulenne. Already certified organic, the estate now enters a new era of development, driven by the exacting and committed vision of Luc and Clémence Planty.
An Agroecological and Heritage-Based Approach
The restructuring of the Malle vineyard is grounded in an agroecological approach, aiming to preserve natural balances, enhance biodiversity, and ensure the long-term value of the terroir’s richness. The first stages of this transformation began in December 2023 with an in-depth study of the soils, resulting in a detailed cartography of the parcels, topsoil and subsoil throughout the estate.
To implement this vision, Luc Planty – President of the Conservatoire of White Grape Varieties in Bordeaux – works closely with agronomists, vine conservatories and viticultural landscape experts. Each new planting is conceived in a spirit of transmission, innovation, and respect for the living world. The vineyard is considered as part of a living landscape, one that combines plant diversity with ecological layers. The vision at Château de Malle is crystal clear: no great wine can be made without agronomic understanding and reverence for life.
2024–2025: 20 Hectares Planted, 130,000 Vines, and a Bold Commitment
The first plantings took place in spring 2024 on high-potential plots, covering 7 hectares: 1 hectare of Merlot, 2 hectares of Sémillon, and 4 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc.
In 2025, the programme will continue with the enhancement of an exceptional terroir. A further 13 hectares will be planted, including 4 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon on the gravels of Toulenne, 4 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc near the château, and 5 hectares of Sémillon on Sauternes soils. All white grape varieties are propagated through massal selection, in partnership with a conservatory of heritage vines. For the Cabernet Sauvignon, three carefully selected clones have been chosen for their moderate yields, loose cluster structure, and potential to produce structured, elegant, and long-lived wines.
2026: The Introduction of Cabernet Franc and the Final Phase of the Programme
The year 2026 will mark the completion of this structural programme, with the planting of Sauvignon Blanc on the estate’s limestone bands, new plots of Sémillon on Sauternes gravel, and the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon blocks. A notable addition will be the introduction of Cabernet Franc from massal selection, chosen for its typicity, aromatic finesse, and adaptability to the soils of Malle. This ampelographic grafting enriches the château’s varietal palette with a grape that, until now, has been rarely seen in this part of Bordeaux.
Towards a Renewed Viticultural Signature, True to the history of Château de Malle
Driven by a clear ambition – to elevate the terroir of Malle to its highest potential – this restructuring programme reflects a desire to reconnect with the great tradition of Bordeaux’s classified growths while embracing a contemporary, respectful, and innovative viticultural philosophy. This new breath of life within the vineyard of Château de Malle reflects a fruitful alliance between heritage, culture, and viticulture. It heralds the emergence of wines deeply rooted in their terroir, yet firmly oriented towards the future.
A Place Open to All
For the first time in its history, Château de Malle is now open to the public. Art enthusiasts, history lovers, garden admirers and leisurely wanderers are all invited to discover the renewed harmony of this exceptional estate, where wine, architecture and nature come together in perfect unison.
Bookings: https://chateaudemalle.com/billetterie/
Château de Malle, Preignac (33210)
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Château de Malle – 33210 Preignac – www.chateaudemalle.com – +33 (0)5 56 63 59 33