Overview

Chateau Monbrison was founded in 1749. Before this Chateau Monbrison was part of the much larger estate of Chateau dArsac. At the time, it belonged to the wealthy Segur family who were some of the most important founders of the entire Bordeaux region.

In 1821 the property was purchased by Paul Georges de Conquere de Monbrison, which is where the estate took its name. The charming, French, country styled farmhouse predates the estate as a vineyard as it was built in the 17th century. Chateau Monbrison was purchased by an American, Robert Davies in 1921. Robert Davies married into the Johnston family, of the well-known, Nathaniel Johnston negociants in Bordeaux who were also owners of various vineyards, including Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou over the years. Robert Davies replanted the entire vineyard in 1939. The vineyard was replanted a second time in 1963. Chateau Monbrison has endured its up and down periods over the centuries. There is a gap in older vintages of the wine as from 1939-1963, the vines were leased to various negociants and chateaux, most notably Chateau Prieure-Lichine.

Starting in 1964, the property began bottling and selling some of their production, waiting for the remaining leasing contracts to expire. From 1974 on, Chateau Monbrison has bottled and sold their entire harvest. Chateau Monbrison remains the property of direct descendants of the Davies family, Laurent Vonderheyden, a descendant of the Davies family is the owner and director of Chateau Monbrison today.

The 15.5 hectare Margaux vineyard is planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The terroir is sand and gravel based soils. The vines are on average 40 years of age, but Monbrison has older vines, many of which were planted in 1963, when the majority of the vineyard was replanted. Their best parcels are located close to the chateau in Arsac. While the vineyard holdings of Chateau Monbrison are large at 21 hectares, it's important to note that only 15.5 hectares are situated in the Margaux appellation. The remainder of their vines are located in the Haut Medoc appellation.

The vineyard is planted to various vine densities ranging from 6,500 vines per hectare up to 10,000 vines per hectare. The higher levels of vine density are found in the newer plantings. In 2012 Chateau Monbrison completed a full renovation of their vat room and barrel ageing cellars. Part of the modernisation allowed for Chateau Monbrison to add smaller sized stainless steel fermentation vats for better vinification abilities. This allowed them to do more parcel by parcel vinification.

Vinification takes place in traditional, temperature controlled, stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine is aged in an average of 40% to 50% new French oak barrels for approximately 18 months.

There is a second wine, Bouquet de Monbrison. The estate makes a third Margaux wine, Chateau Cordet. In addition, they also produce a wine from vines they own in the neighbouring Haut Medoc appellation, Haut Medoc de Monbrison.

On average, the annual production of Chateau Monbrison is close to 6,000 cases of wine per year.