Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Beaugey Castle, located in Carignan-de-Bordeaux en Gironde, occupies a high plateau. Its history dates back to at least the 13th century, where it was known as Puch de Canteloup, in connection with the nearby castle of Canteloup. This vast area covered the valley of Calonne and the southern slope of Vignac, entirely dedicated to viticulture. From that time on, the site was a major player in local wine production, with significant infrastructures such as the Calonge Tower, whose buildings covered more than 1,000 m2 at the beginning of the 19th century, according to maps from 1812.

In 1489, the estate took the name of Beaugey, probably in tribute to an earlier owner. It is described as a quagmire (minor noble domain) surrounded by ditches. The present house was built at the beginning of the sixteenth century for Thomas de Cuisinier, a parliamentarian, as evidenced by a covering contract dated 1525. At that time, the castle dominated a vast winery, producing up to 400 hectolitres of red wine annually at the end of the 19th century. The vines, once extended, were gradually reduced, concentrating winemaking in the cellars of the castle.

The architecture of the Beaugey Castle reflects its evolution: the original stairway tower, characteristic of Renaissance constructions, was abolished at the end of the 19th century and replaced by an interior monumental staircase. This change marks an adaptation to the tastes and needs of the era, while preserving the traces of its medieval and winemaking past. The domain thus illustrates the transformations of a heritage linked to both the parliamentary aristocracy and the Bordeaux wine economy.

External links