Château Sainte-Marie sits on some of the highest, sunniest ground in the Gironde, and that elevation once saved its oldest vines from disaster. Today fifth-generation Stéphane Dupuch farms them organically to make some of Entre-Deux-Mers' most characterful whites and reds.
Backstory
The Dupuch family has run the estate since 1956. Stéphane Dupuch took the helm in 1997 and immediately began converting the property to organic viticulture, building on a respect for terroir handed down through five generations.
The Region
The estate lies in the heart of Entre-Deux-Mers in Bordeaux, with south-facing vineyards spread across two very sunny hilltops that rank among the highest points in the Gironde.
Vineyards and Farming
Sainte-Marie is certified organic and has been certified vegan since the 2019 vintage. Biodiversity is encouraged throughout. The family is rich in old vines, the eldest being Semillon planted around 107 years ago; thanks to their altitude these vines uniquely survived the devastating 1956 frost that destroyed so much of Bordeaux.
Winemaking
In the cellar the wines ferment with indigenous yeast, and each parcel is vinified separately to preserve the specificity of its terroir. Vineyard and cellar work follow the lunar calendar.
The Wines
The estate is best known for its Entre-Deux-Mers whites, including a Vieilles Vignes bottling, alongside the Petite Marie red and white cuvées. They are fresh, precise and true to their hilltop origins.