Chateau Moyau

Chateau Moyau has its origins in the Middle Ages. Legend has it that the original settlers were pirates whose leader answered to the name Moyau. Another story claims that Moyau is derived from the word marais or marsh. The Chateau was owned by the Herteman family from the 18th century until 2004, when Dr. Bernhard Koehler, a German fund manager living in Switzerland, purchased it. He saw potential in the six residential buildings, two large wine cellars, pigeon tower and stables. Through benign neglect many parcels had not been replanted. As a result, the new owner inherited parcels of old vine Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, most over 60-year’s old. Koehler hired a passionate young wine maker, Stephanie Chanot, to lead a team of two full-time employees. Previously, Chanot was technical director of the vineyards of Baron Philippe de Rothschild in Chile. Koehler also brought in Claude Gros, a respected consulting winemaker with clients throughout the world, to consult and advise at Chateau Moyau. Chateau Moyau covers an area of 128 acres with about 60 acres devoted to vines. Sixty percent of the vines are planted in parcels that border the Mediterranean. The remaining 40 percent are planted in the hills among the Garrigues scrubland of wild lavender and rosemary. Yields are limited to approximately 800 gallons per 74 acres (30 hl/ha) and are hand picked. State of the art de-stemming delivers grapes free from stems and leaves which can cause harsh, bitter-tasting tannins. With a rich assortment of red varietals such as Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carginan, Cinsault, the output is 90% red and rosé wines. The Chateau is also increasing its white wine output with new plantings of Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc varieta – Description from Greg Roberts    (hide)