Our terroir

Terroir is made up of all the factors in the ecosystem surrounding a region or product. Here, the vine and therefore the soil, subsoil, climate, topography, biodiversity, and, of course, human labor. Understanding and respecting all these elements are the keys to a fulfilling and high-quality production.

The AOC Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux is located in the Saint-Emilion region. Covering only 280 hectares, Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux produces 160,000 hl/year of mainly red wines (90%), sweet white wines, and a small proportion of dry white wines.

The soils of the appellation are clay-limestone and sandy-clay. The traditional Bordeaux grape varieties are used for both the reds (mostly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc) and the whites (Semillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle and Ugni Blanc).

The red wines, suitable for aging, are full-bodied, structured and have a beautiful tannic structure.

Located in the commune of Eynesse, the Château Martet vineyard covers 37 hectares on the hillsides bordering the Dordogne River. Rich, clay-limestone soils and ferrous clay-limestone gravel on the higher ground allow our grape varieties to flourish. A temperate, continental climate favors the full ripeness of our grapes.

From 1993 to 2010, hundreds of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines were gradually uprooted, as they were poorly adapted to the soil and rarely reached optimal maturity. The vineyard was redesigned and consolidated to produce high-density harvests (5,500 vines per hectare).

Today, Château Martet benefits from optimal grape varieties, adapted to the properties of this unique terroir.

Viticulture was adapted to the terroir: cordon pruning, spring disbudding, green harvests and moderate leaf thinning in July, harvests at staggered stages, taking into account the ripeness plot by plot... These efforts now offer us fully ripe harvests.

The vat room and cellars were also redesigned. In 1992, the vat room was modernized and cleaned. Since then, as winemaking techniques have evolved, and in a constant quest for quality, the containers and equipment used have been regularly adapted. A pneumatic press was installed for precise pressing, temperature control was mastered, stainless steel containers for the white wines were used to emphasize fruit and freshness, and numerous vats of varying capacities, from 45 to 130 hl, were used for the red wines, allowing the wines from the different plots to be aged individually.

The barrel cellar dates from 2003. Designed for efficient work, it houses 600 new oak barrels each year, produced using medium toasting, from the excellent Radoux cooperage.

Château Martet is ideally located in the heart of a rich natural heritage and abundant biodiversity. It was only natural to want to preserve these precious ecosystems, which is why we have adapted our production techniques and methods.

Currently pursuing HVE3 certification, we do not use any pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and disease control treatments are only carried out when absolutely necessary. These efforts are supported by careful soil cultivation to promote microbiological biodiversity in the soil. The vineyard thus hosts a complete ecosystem where all the different players (large and small) of the flora and fauna play their full role. Walks are a chance to discover wonderful things!