Château Belloy is an estate in the commune of Fronsac in the Fronsadais on the right bank of the Bordeaux region. It produces red wine under the Canon Fronsac AOC. Its wines were renowned in the 18th-century, selling 30% higher compared to Saint-Emilion.  

Owner: Travers family.

History: Historians have been able to trace the presence of men on the grounds of Château Belloy thanks to the cellar dug under the Château. Long before any form of construction, it was dug using a tool of a specific width, the use of which dates back to prehistoric times. After the conquest of Gaul by the Romans, the roads developed massively throughout the Aquitaine territory. The remarkable well in the center of the park was dug at the beginning of the Roman era, it is more than 3m in diameter. This incredible width, very unusual whatever the time, is proof of significant human activity on these lands 2000 years ago.

In the 8th century, before he became emperor, Charlemagne inherited the western part of Aquitaine from his father. In constant struggle against invasions from the south, during which the famous song of Rolland was written, Charlemagne decided to build a fortress 5km from Belloy on the top of a hill which is today called Tertre de Fronsac.

The builders of this era used to build tunnels on limestone lands to escape in the event of a siege. In this case, the exit of this tunnel would be 5km further, in the current cellar of Château Belloy. Unfortunately walled up during the Second World War, it is too dangerous to open a passage from the interior without risking to collapse the building.

In the 17th century, the grounds of Château Belloy were the property of Cardinal de Richelieu, Prime Minister of Louis XIII, and his family. Large hunting parties were notably organized. Faithful to his master, Cardinal Mazarin, a pupil of Richelieu and in turn Prime Minister of Louis XIV, was very attached to the wines of Canon Fronsac.

During the month of August 1650, when Louis XIV settled in Libourne with the court to fight the Bordeaux sling. On this occasion, it was presented to the most renowned wines of the region and dear to the heart of Mazarin, the Canon Fronsac, whose plots of Château Belloy, due to their unique location, offered some of the best vintages in the appellation. It was after his visit that during his entire reign, the wines of Canon Fronsac were served at the court of Versailles.

The 20th century saw the arrival of the Travers family at the head of Château Belloy. Originally from the Correze, the Travers started in 1909 as traders at Saint Michel de Fronsac. The very first cellar, still used today, was used to store wines in barrels, to bottle and store them. These were intended for distribution to the individual on the French market. François Léonce Travers subsequently married a daughter of a producer at the beginning of the century and then became the owner of Château Queyreau de Haut, now the Maison Maître de Château Belloy. It serves as a place  for guests who wish to stay.

In the 1950s, when the 3rd generation of the family took over the management of the vineyard with Michel Travers, Château Belloy was inherited from a cousin of the family, then Director of the Banque de France. Due to its privileged position and the quality of its wines, it naturally became the spearhead of the Travers vineyards.

Today, Franck, 5th generation of the family, is at the head of the estate, supported by the solid experience of his parents Hélène and Jean-Paul.

Vineyards: 6.85ha. Rocky, calcareous hillside, west of and below the ‘combe de Junayme’. A thin vein of limestone covers a sandstone subsoil.

Red wines

Bordeaux Rouge, Duc de Belloy, La Cuvée du Roi: The Duke of Belloy is linked to Cardinal Mazarin who introduced Belloy wines to King Louis XIV when the court moved to Libourne in August 1650. Richelieu, Mazarin’s mentor, would have previously introduced him to the wines produced on his land by Canon Fronsac. It was after this royal visit that Belloy’s wines were served at Versailles during the reign of the Sun King.

Canon Fronsac AOC, Les Canons du Château Belloy: Les Canons du Château Belloy pays homage, by its spicy side to the frigates which, sailing on the Dordogne in the 14th–15th century, used the Belloy hill, very close to the Dordogne, as a target to adjust the range of their cannons.

Canon Fronsac AOC, La Légende du Château Belloy: The Legend of Château Belloy is linked to Emperor Charlemagne, who in the 8th century built a fortress 5 km from Château Belloy. History would like a treasure to be hidden inside the tunnel connecting the underground grounds of the old Fortress to the cellar of Château Belloy, which served as their escape route in the event of an attack.

Canon Fronsac AOC, Château Belloy: The Grand Vin. The Duke of Belloy is linked to Cardinal Mazarin who introduced Belloy wines to King Louis XIV when the court moved to Libourne in August 1650. Richelieu, Mazarin’s mentor, would have previously introduced him to the wines produced on his land by Canon Fronsac. It was after this royal visit that Belloy’s wines were served at Versailles during the reign of the Sun King.

Contact

Château Belloy

Lieu dit Belloy, F-33126 Fronsac

Tel:+33 (0)5 57 24 98 05