Petit Village

If I have a favourite part of Bordeaux I think it is St Emilion, in spite of its touristic tendencies, but when asked to go to Pomerol I was not too unhappy!

I was off to Château Petit Village, a name I had often passed by and was going to spend a whole 24 hours exploring it and meet….. It looks a small property but then I don’t know Pomerol vineyards so well despite several visits. All the houses seem more like farmhouses than châteaux although some are grander than others. That of Lafleur would surprise most people, across the road as it is from the famous Petrus.

Anyway Petit Village at least has a small avenue of trees and modern extension. And some guest accommodation that is always so welcome. One glance  out of the window tells you whether to get up or not ! Of course its flat but there are no distractions, no frills. Everything is for the wine.

Diana meets me on the drive and I given the tour. The modern extension is impressive but simple, everything is functional and well thought through. I am left to wander the vines alone as the sun drops before showering and meeting up with Diana and her husband to have dinner in St Emilion. The next morning is grey and I’m grateful I made the most of the previous evening. I have only the morning to shoot some more portraits, the tasting room, barrel room and cuverie and time passes quickly until I am summoned to my taxi to return to Bordeaux. It seems there had hardly been time to blink but in fact it was a very pleasant opportunity to enjoy a little corner of Pomerol and friendly hospitality.

Château Petit Village in a sea of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Franc.

I think its Franc on the right….. or the left… no, on the left, definitely, I think.

The modern winery at Petit Village

Winery interior with individual tanks for each plot.

A view at dusk.

The “château”

Diana Berrouet-Garcia, the boss in her tasting room.

Soil

Checking the wind before spraying.

Its that easy to lift an empty barrel !