The history of Cahors vineyard’s technical prowess attained its zenith with the planting of ‘Bouysses’,
which in the vernacular refers to the ancient boxwood avenue
leading to the legendary Mercuès estate.
This region of small landowners featured few large properties. But there was one around the village of Mercuès with sixty hectares and charged with history with its cistercian convent buildings acquired by Agar enobled Count of Mosburg, Minister of Finance to Joachim Murat, King of Naples. The estate became the property of local Quercy Doctor Pierre Marre who witnessed the effort to restore Cahors name and decided to install twenty hectares of vineyards to demonstrate the Cahors renaissance. On this estate viticulture had been abandoned long before for financial reasons. Twenty hectares of planting rights were acquired in the Gers departement. The land proved to be perfect and typical of the Lot valley as it was located around a limestone resurgence forming a meander in the Lot river which had received siliceous deposits and pebbles during the post-glacial period. In fact we can say that here we have the perfect example of the Cahors terroir which features calcareous pebbles and ancient alluvial gravels.
Doctor Marre had another wish which was to entrust the model vineyards to the Parnac co-operative winery enabling it to further its ambition as a collective enterprise in 1958.
Plantation and cultivation of vineyards was not within the statutes of the co-operative but they were modified to include this new activity and this gave rise to a new 30 year lease.
Plantation commenced in 1973, and composed of 70% Auxerrois (Malbec), 15% Tannât and 15% Merlot which served as a model for all the local viticulture.
As planned, the nature and quality of Château La Bouysses wine have made it the reference for Cahors wines. The site is a must-see for any visitor wishing to understand the whys and wherefores of this model vineyard which has contributed so much to the renaissance of the appelation.
22 Hectares :
19 Auxerrois (also called Cot or Malbec)
3 hectares Merlot
Distances between
winestocks are
1.2 metres on the row
and 2 metres between rows.
The property is in
a reasoned culture scheme.
Château Les Bouysses has been certified Level 3 High Environmental Value since the 2018 vintage
Vineyards are on terraces oriented south and south-east and sheltered from any bad weather.
Château Les Bouysses is a showcase for the renaissance of the Cahors appelation which has been entrusted to Vinovalie to develop and pass on a unique heritage. Hervé Froment, our oenologist at the Cahors winery, has assumed the responsibility for this fantastic property.
Château Les Bouysses special reserves are blended from selected plots of old winestocks, mainly carefully controlled low-yield Malbec.
*various special reserves and tasting notes
Château Les Bouysses wines are available from the wineshop on site.
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 12 and 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Friday from 8.30 to 12
Contrary to the vineyards, an high level of walnut production is actively encouraged.
The ‘Franquette’ variety is the only one cultivated on 14 hectares planted in 1969 and an additional 10 hectares in 1991.
Treatments are kept to a minimum with Bordeaux spray applied to reinforce the tree’s natural defences. As in the vineyards, weeding is performed along the rows and grass regularly mowed between them to facilitate mechanical harvesting.
In order to guarantee a top quality product, after harvesting the walnuts are quickly dried. Stocking damp walnuts must be avoided to prevent the kernel from becoming discoloured.
Château Les Bouysses walnuts are available from the wineshop on site.
Château Les Bouysses walnuts are available from the wineshop on site.
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 12 and 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Friday from 8.30 to 12
Chateau Les Bouysses – © Tous droits réservés – 2020 – réalisé par Airmob Digital, groupe Airmob
L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération.
