Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Château-Grillet is located on a steep hillside between Vérin and Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, in the Loire department, on the right bank of the Rhône. This estate, in the heart of a renowned vineyard, is distinguished by its main house facing south, composed of a central building with three levels flanked by four narrow towers. A terrace bordered by a wall and a full protruding ramp, while commons spread westward, marrying the plot curve. Access is via a north-south road, but the castle is not open to visitors.

The history of the estate dates back to Roman times, with an uninterrupted winery. In the 17th century, the Lyon surveyor and architect Girard Desargues (1593–1662) became its owner and cultivated the vineyard. He welcomed Blaise Pascal in 1652. The estate then passed into the hands of several families, including the Uffray-Desargues, the Peyrouses – who received Thomas Jefferson in 1787 – and then the Gachet, Neyret, Mayet, and Canet. In 2011, François Pinault acquired the castle, marking a new stage in his history.

The Château-Grillet vineyard, which has been in operation for centuries, is inseparable from the identity of the estate. Historical sources mention specialized works, such as those by R. Bailly or Marcel Chaboud, which underline its importance in the wine history of the Côtes du Rhône. The castle thus embodies an architectural, agricultural and cultural heritage, linked to major figures in science, diplomacy and economics.

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