Doyac Castle

Château Doyac, in Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, is an organic and biodynamic estate in the Haut-Médoc appellation, north of Saint-Estèphe. Since 1998, Max and Astrid de Pourtalès have been crafting refined and elegant wines there rather than highly extracted ones: balance, freshness, and refined tannins. Find the 2019 Château Doyac and its second wine, the 2020 Esprit de Doyac, here among our organic Bordeaux wines.

The History of Château Doyac

Max de Pourtalès returned to his Bordeaux roots by purchasing Château Doyac in 1998, along with his wife Astrid. The vineyard, which has since been largely replanted, covers nearly 30 hectares in a single block on the limestone plateau of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, just north of Saint-Estèphe. The estate is advised by winemaker Éric Boissenot.

The Terroir of Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne

The vineyards occupy a series of gently sloping, south-facing hillsides on clay-limestone and sandy soils. Merlot dominates the blend, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon. This terroir produces Haut-Médoc wines that are both fruity and precise.

Organic and Biodynamic Farming

Château Doyac has been certified organic since 2018 and biodynamic (Demeter) since the 2019 vintage. This approach to working with living organisms lends the wines finesse and freshness compared to other wines in the appellation.

Winemaking and Aging

The estate’s flagship wine, Château Doyac, is vinified using traditional methods and aged for about one year in barrels, 25% of which are new oak. The estate has held the Cru Bourgeois Supérieur classification since the 2018 vintage.

The Wines of Château Doyac

Château Doyac 2019 (€18.60): the estate’s flagship wine, an organic Haut-Médoc produced using biodynamic methods, full of finesse and freshness.

Esprit de Doyac 2020 (€12.90): The estate’s second wine, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, fruity and silky, with fine tannins and a slightly oaky touch. Peak in 2027.

Food Pairings with Château Doyac Wines

These Haut-Médoc wines pair well with beef (rib steak, grilled entrecôte), lamb, and aged cheeses. Serve them between 16 and 17 °C.

Frequently Asked Questions About Château Doyac

Where is Château Doyac located? In Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne, in the Haut-Médoc, north of Saint-Estèphe.

Is Château Doyac organic? Yes: certified organic since 2018 and biodynamic (Demeter) starting with the 2019 vintage.

How much does a Château Doyac wine cost? From €12.90 (Esprit de Doyac 2020) to €18.60 (Château Doyac 2019).

What’s the difference between Château Doyac and Esprit de Doyac? Château Doyac is the estate’s first wine; Esprit de Doyac is its second wine, which is more supple and full-bodied.

Who runs the estate? Max and Astrid de Pourtalès, owners since 1998.

Discover our other organic Haut-Médoc wines as well, including Château Mille Roses and Château La Lagune, as well as our Haut-Médoc AOCs and our organic wines.