The Chateau Doisy-Védrines near Barsac, France. Photo by Fr. Jason Vidrine
The Chateau Doisy-Védrines is located 28 miles east of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Garonne River in the commune of Barsac, one of the five Sauternes appellations. For centuries, Barsac has been synonymous with wine. Château Doisy-Védrines sits on the illustrious terroir of ‘Haut Barsac’ and is the neighbor of Château Climens and Château Coutet, considered to be among the oldest estates in the whole region.
The Chateau dates back to the the middle ages. Initially named Chateau Doisy, it acquired the name Doisy-Védrines when it was inherited by Jean Baptiste de Védrines (father of Jean Baptiste Lapaise de Védrines who came to LA) when he married Marie de Raymond, whose father Pierre de Raymond had owned it.
The tower of Chateau Doisy-Védrines. Photo by Fr. Jason Vidrine
When Jean Baptiste Védrines died, his oldest son, Pierre Védrines inherited it. It’s where he died. Most of Pierre’s children died there as well after the French Revolution dissolved the convents, and Jean Baptiste Védrines (son of Pierre, Jean Baptiste Lapaise de Vedrines’ nephew) allowed his three sisters who were Nuns to live there with him. It was eventually lost or sold around 1815 by Jean Baptiste Lapaise de Védrines’ great nephew, Henri Vedrines, Jr, who immigrated to LA and settled in New Iberia. The Vedrines there today descend from him.
Interior of the Chateau-Doisy-Vedrines. Photo by Fr. Jason Vidrine
Acquired by the present owners in the mid-XVIIII century, the Doisy-Védrines estate was included in the 1855 classification and extends across 51 hectares. Grape varieties: Semillon (80%), Sauvignon Blanc (10%), Sauvignon Gris (5%) and Muscadelle (5%). The maturation takes 18 months in oak barrels for the Grand Vin and 12 months for the other wines.
