The Château d'Issan is a vineyard including a castle protected as historical monuments in the commune of Cantenac, in Gironde, 25 km north of Bordeaux.
According to legend, the wine produced in this area would have been served since 1152 when Eleanor of Aquitaine marriage of the future King of England Henry Plantagenet.
What is more proven is that he was regularly offered at the court of Emperor Franz Joseph in Vienna in the nineteenth century, justifying the motto of the castle: "Regium mensis aris that deorum (" To the table of kings and the altar of the Gods ").
Architecturally, the current castle was built in the seventeenth century on the foundations of a medieval castle after buying the lordship by a Bordeaux parliamentarian OF Essenault. Flukes were however retained. The building is built in a quadrangular plan, its corners are fortified by round turrets. On one side a gate tower is protected by two round towers loaders. On the other, the moat was crossed by a stone bridge of the fifteenth century. The main facade has a central square pavilion with two floors, crowned with balustrades on ledge consoles. As to the porch, two round columns are equipped with Corinthian capitals. Inside, Renaissance fireplaces have been preserved in the old Hall of Justice and the dining room.
The set was sold again in 1851 to the family Blanchy then in 1865 to the Roy family.
Meanwhile, in 1855, the area ranked third grand cru (Margaux). A rank he has always maintained since.
In terms of the vineyards, it is surrounded by walls and vast 59 hectares: 44 produce the Margaux wine, 5 of the Haut-Médoc appellation wine and 10 of the top Bordeaux.
The estate owned since 2013 man Jacky Lorenzetti business.
Tour (including a tasting) by appointment from Monday to Friday. Price: 20 €. Information at +33 5 57 88 35 91.
