Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Canon Castle is a 34 hectare wine estate located in Saint-Émilion, Gironde, ranked "First Grand Cru Class B" in the 2006, 2012 and 2022 rankings. Today it belongs to the Wertheimer family, also owner of the Rauzan-Ségla castle. Its terroir, argilo-calcary, is planted with 75% merlot and 25% frank cabernet, with vines of an average age of 25 years. The estate also produces a second wine, "Canon Cross".

The castle was built in 1767 by Jacques Kanon, a privateer renowned for his role in the capture of Quebec City. Originally, the estate was surrounded by stone walls and expanded over time, including the acquisition of the Cure-bon la Madeleine castle in 2000. Repurchased in 1996 by the Chanel Group, it has undergone major restorations while maintaining its original structure. A particular feature of the estate is its fully fenced vineyard, including border houses, a vaulted cellar under the house and old quarries.

Ranked a historic monument since December 1, 2015, Canon Castle protects its facades, roofs, cellars, commons, walls and quarries. These elements, excluding modern parts and wineries, bear witness to its preserved architectural and wine heritage.

The clay-calcary soil, typical of the plateau of Saint-Émilion, and traditional methods of cultivation (double guyot size, yields limited to 35 hl/ha) contribute to the reputation of the wines of the estate. The castle thus embodies the alliance between a historical heritage and a world-renowned winery of excellence.

The inscription to historical monuments covers not only the house body and its outbuildings, but also landscape and functional elements such as walls and underground quarries. The latter, located under the vaulted cellar, recall the old exploitation of local resources for the construction and storage of wine.

External links