Over 150 years of uninterrupted family ownership began in 1850 when Count Paul Henry de Raousset married Victorine Félissent. Her father, Léon, had constructed the Château just a decade prior and graciously passed it on to the newlyweds. To this day, it is still the couple’s descendants who run the Beaujolais-based estate. The current generation of Corinne de Lassagne, Charles Eric de la Chapelle, and Veronique Peillon all work to match up to the accolade that their family estate has consistently achieved throughout its tenured existence.
Spread across 35-hectares, the estate is farmed organically and is presently engaged in earning certification. Gazing at the well-kept parcels, one may notice wide grassy strips growing between some rows of vines. This technique benefits the vines themselves, as well as the local ecosystem. Notably, the seeds from these grasses attract a wonderful variety of local birds to the vineyards.
The Château specialized in two types of grapes—all of which are harvested by hand. Their Gamay grapes produce wines with floral notes and rounded tannin while their Chardonnay variety create wines with aromas of white flowers, white-fleshed fruit, and honey with occasional notes of citrus due to the soil’s natural acidity.
Having earned its first gold medal from Napoléon III, Château de Raousset’s reputation precedes it, but the estate does not simply rest on its historical accolades. Continually innovating, the estate continues to win its share of awards and plenty of praise.