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The family history of Château Les Millards
Owned by the Courpon family for seven generations, it is perhaps heir and current owner Bastien Courpon who best describes the history of Château les Millards. Bastien Courpon began working in the vineyards in 2010, alongside his parents Véronique and Michel. The latter had themselves inherited the winery from his grandfather in the 1970s.
Although the estate used to produce mainly white varietals, red varietals now occupy the majority of the 7.5 hectares under cultivation. The change in business at Château Les Millards was largely due to the consumer craze for Côtes de Blaye appellation wines in the 1980s.
In addition to winegrowing, wine tourism also plays an important role at this estate. Bastien offers wine tastings at regional markets, vintage car tours of the estate and wine-tasting cruises in his company.
A Bordeaux vineyard with a rich terroir
The estate’s grape varieties are mainly Merlot and Carbernet-Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc also used to make red wines. Sauvignon Blanc is also grown here, but remains in the minority.
Located in the Bordeaux region, the vines of the Château les Millards estate benefit from an ideally sunny climate. Grown on hillsides, they are cultivated on clay-limestone soil, with gravel in places, which is particularly well-suited to Merlot ripening.
Bastien Courpon works with respect for nature, taking the philosophy of sustainable viticulture to heart. That’s why he favors manual work in his vineyards and wines aged for long periods in oak barrels.
Château Les Millards wines
The Bordeaux region is a benchmark in the world of viticulture, enjoying worldwide renown especially for the production of red wines. Château Les Millards is evolving, albeit on a small scale, with wines benefiting from the recognized AOC Blaye de Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.
The family business produces 7 wines, mainly Côtes de Blaye reds, but also Côtes de Bourg reds and rosés.
The different Château Les Millards wines are made from a skilful blend of Merlot, Carbenet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, grape varieties that give them a fruity character and roundness on the palate. Bastien Courpon also offers prestige cuvées, produced from great vintages, which he allows to mature for longer.
Thanks to the ancestral techniques employed, Château Les Millards wines have a powerful, fruity taste, with a slight woody note. This makes them a perfect match for dishes in sauce, with beef, veal or game. Intended for drinking rather than long-term storage, these wines should be served at a temperature of 16°C.
Photos: Château Les Millards / AOC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
