{"id":2678,"date":"2025-12-20T21:45:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T20:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/?p=2678"},"modified":"2026-01-18T21:14:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T20:14:39","slug":"2025-harvest-at-chateau-papounan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/vendanges-2025-au-chateau-papounan\/","title":{"rendered":"Grape harvest at Ch\u00e2teau Papounan"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Grape harvest at Ch\u00e2teau Papounan<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It was a little before 8 a.m. when we began our third harvest at Ch\u00e2teau Papounan. The morning was cool, typical of autumns in the Medoc<\/b>, but the sun quickly warmed our rows of vines. The timing was perfect \u2013 one week after the\u00a0M\u00e9doc Wine Marathon<\/a>, The perfect weekend to harvest our grapes.<\/p>\n

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The 2025 vintage should be very good!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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All the winegrowers of the appellation Saint-Est\u00e8phe<\/b> They all agree: 2025 will be an exceptional vintage. Despite a dry summer that kept the berries small, the aromatic concentration of our grapes is remarkable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our plot of 0.2 hectares<\/b>, planted in equal parts with Merlot<\/b> and Cabernet Sauvignon<\/b>, benefited from ideal weather, sparing us the usual diseases like mildew.<\/p>\n

However, the lack of rain in July and early August kept the bunches quite small, which concentrates the aromas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeautiful ripe bunch in the autumn light\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tReady for the 2025 harvest\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRipe grapes in the heart of the Ch\u00e2teau Papounan vineyard\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Fortunately, there was good rain at the end of August and the beginning of September, just enough to give the grapes a little volume without diluting their beautiful concentration. When we cut the bunches that morning, we could immediately see the quality: magnificent grapes, perfect bloom, ideal ripeness.<\/p>\n

The old saying goes that years ending in 5 always produce great vintages in the M\u00e9doc. 2005, 2015, and now 2025. Coincidence or not, seeing our grapes this year, we want to believe it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The grape harvest is so much better with friends<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This year, we were not alone. Our friends Marc and R\u00e9jane, recently settled on the right bank after having lived in a multitude of countries (we met them in the United States), crossed the Gironde to give us a hand.<\/p>

And what a difference! Last year, it was just the two of us for 10 hours \u2013 we were exhausted. This year, with four of us, we finished in 5 hours in a great atmosphere.\u00a0Amarok<\/a>, Our Alaskan malamute, was supervising us as usual, making his rounds between the rows.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMarc is participating in the grape harvest at Ch\u00e2teau Papounan\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tR\u00e9jane is enjoying the atmosphere of the 2025 grape harvest.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSylvaine in action during the 2025 grape harvest\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe 2025 harvest team with Amarok, our Alaskan Malamute\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJacques proudly presents a bunch of grapes from the 2025 harvest.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A well-organized day<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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This year we invested in new transport crates \u2013 proper red and grey harvest crates that really make the work easier. Our small 0.2-hectare plot is planted half Merlot, half Cabernet Sauvignon,\u00a0the classic Saint-\u00c9tienne blend<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Around mid-morning, we took a break for a proper breakfast: homemade jam, fresh bread, and croissants. It's important to take your time, even during the grape harvest.<\/p>\n

By early afternoon, it was all over. A little over 320 kg of grapes ready to go to the cooperative. It's not a huge amount \u2013 all the local winemakers are reporting lower yields this year \u2013 but it's more than enough for us. These grapes will become part of the Marquis of Saint-Est\u00e8phe<\/a>, the wine from the cooperative.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe 2025 harvest: a bountiful harvest for Ch\u00e2teau Papounan\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe 2025 Harvest at Ch\u00e2teau Papounan\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDelivery of the harvest to the Marquis de Saint-Est\u00e8phe's wine press\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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After the effort, the reward<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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After work, it's time to party! We fired up the barbecue, but not with ordinary charcoal \u2013 with vine cuttings. These vine branches burn incredibly hot and give the meat an incomparable flavor. On the menu: a huge T-bone steak from... Pigoud by Dylan<\/a>, the local butcher of Saint-Est\u00e8phe.<\/p>\n

And to thank Marc and R\u00e9jane? We opened a bottle of Pagodes de Cos, the second wine of the Ch\u00e2teau Cos d'Estournel<\/a>. This is one of our favorites, and this was the perfect opportunity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVine shoot fire: a winemaking tradition in the M\u00e9doc\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTraditional cooking: ribeye steak cooked over vine shoots\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLes Pagodes de Cos 2009: an exceptional Saint-Est\u00e8phe in its terroir\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrilled ribeye steak cooked over vine shoots: a harvest feast\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There's something special about sharing a meal after working together in the vineyards. The conversations are different, the wine tastes even better, and the memories created are authentic. R\u00e9jane took lots of photos and even a short video\u2014moments of simple joy that can't be staged.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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In 2026?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It's difficult to predict the exact date \u2013 it depends on the weather, the sugar levels, and many other factors that change every year. But with climate change, the grape harvest in the M\u00e9doc is happening earlier and earlier. The weekend after the M\u00e9doc Wine Marathon<\/a> is usually the right time. For the small producers of the Marquis de Saint-Est\u00e8phe cooperative, it is always a Saturday.<\/p>\n


Want to experience this?<\/b> ? Book your stay<\/a> at Ch\u00e2teau Papounan, in the heart of our vineyards<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tIt seems we couldn't find what you're looking for.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Il \u00e9tait un peu avant 8h quand nous avons commenc\u00e9 notre troisi\u00e8me vendange au Ch\u00e2teau Papounan. La matin\u00e9e \u00e9tait fra\u00eeche, typique des automnes dans le M\u00e9doc, mais le soleil a rapidement r\u00e9chauff\u00e9 nos rangs de vignes. Le timing \u00e9tait parfait – une semaine apr\u00e8s le\u00a0Marathon des Ch\u00e2teaux du M\u00e9doc, le week-end id\u00e9al pour r\u00e9colter nos […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2778,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vigne"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2678"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chateaupapounan.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}