Yves Delsol, Operations Director of Château Tronquoy-Lalande, is a lover of the terroir. In a few words, he tells us about his passion for this property in Saint-Estèphe, where he spent more than 30 years of his life.
The vineyards of Saint-Estèphe
François Tronquoy, founder of Tronquoy-Lalande, was truly avant-garde. Indeed, at the 18th century, there were very few large wine estates in Saint-Estèphe. Tronquoy-Lalande is the oldest, after Calon-Ségur, to have been created on this appellation. A real domain, with a life in the castle, accommodation on the property. François Tronquoy attached great importance to the land and to working it like a real farmer. His values, he transmitted them to his children in his will published in Bernard Ginestet’s book, dedicated to Saint-Estèphe.
What makes Tronquoy-Lalande famous?
Interview with Yves Delsol, Operations Director of Château Tronquoy-Lalande
The vintages were always quoted in number of barrels. Today, the grands crus are more recognized for the quality of their terroirs. That of Château Tronquoy-Lalande is located on terrace 3, one of the 6 terraces qualified by Pierre Becheler, the expert geologist specializing in the Médoc, as very suitable for the production of great wines, both in terms of soil composition and exposure. In Tronquoy, we have clayey gravel soils 8 meters thick, culminating at twenty-three meters above sea level. We produce a great red wine and a Bordeaux Blanc appellation wine, in greater quantities confidential.
Between the Bay of Biscay and the Gironde estuary
The proximity of the sea has a strong influence on the vine. We have a real microclimate here. The Médoc is a point of land surrounded by two gigantic bodies of water which act as regulators and temper the climate. These two bodies of water are the Atlantic Ocean with the Bay of Biscay, and the Gironde estuary which is nine kilometers at its widest point. Because of this geographical location, the Médoc, and therefore Tronquoy-Lalande, benefits from permanent ventilation, a guarantee of good health of the vineyard, thus less susceptible to certain diseases, such as mildew and powdery mildew.
Château Tronquoy-Lalande, a vineyard undergoing organic certification
The vineyard of Château Tronquoy-Lalande is carried out in agriculture that respects the environment. We work the soils in a very traditional way and the harvest is entirely manual. Since the beginning of 2021, we have been engaged in certification, but not only. We also take great care of the ecosystems, we protect insects, native species, our forests and our green spaces, we have planted ecological hedges and implanted within the vineyard two hundred nesting boxes for chickadees and bats.
Is Tronquoy-Lalande a classified growth?
It could have been, if the property had been in contention for the 1855 classification. , to make consumers recognize the quality of their wine. He would therefore not have presented his wines at the Universal Exhibition. It’s a shame, because Tronquoy-Lalande could then easily have become fourth or fifth classified growth. History decided otherwise. But the fact remains that, since the 18th century, Tronquoy-Lalande has been recognized for its great terroir and for the refinement and finesse of its great wines. Subsequently, Tronquoy was classified as a Cru Bourgeois Supérieur in 1932 and then decided, in 2003, to develop its own identity outside of any classification.
Do you export your production?
Historically, barges and boats left the port of Bordeaux to deliver our wines to England and the United States. Today, we still export our wines to these destinations, but also to Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Asia. But our wines are also and above all distributed in France. What matters to us is that they remain accessible to our consumers, in wine shops and in restaurants.
Who owns Château Tronquoy-Lalande today?
In 2006, the two Bouygues brothers, Martin and Olivier, acquired Tronquoy-Lalande. Arlette Castéja-Texier, the former owner, wanted the property to remain in the family fold. From its origins to the present day, Château Tronquoy-Lalande has known six. Upon acquisition, the owners completely restructured the vineyard and renovated the buildings and technical installations. They are very attached to Saint-Estèphe where they come quite regularly. It was on their initiative that we got involved in our environmental approach.
Are you open to the public?
Château Tronquoy-Lalande is a welcoming property, open to everyone on weekdays, all year round. We take pleasure in welcoming lovers of beautiful terroirs and wine lovers to whom we are committed to sharing our passions.
More information about Château Tronquoy Lalande
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