Château K is an organic estate vineyard in the Bergerac AOC region the Dordogne in South West France. Katharina Mowinckel, a Norwegian whose previous career was as a professional show jumper, purchased the estate in 2002, and subsequently restructured it. She produces still wines of all three colours under the Bergerac AOC and sweet whites under the Saussignac AOC.
Vineyards: At 130 metres on a clay-limestone ridge running east-west. | 2003 Katharina began restructuring the existing 6.2 hectares (3,2 hectares of white, 3 hectares of red) in 2003, replanting at 5,500 vines/ha (up from the existing 3,500 vines/ha). | 2007 5ha of vines.
Grape varieties: 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc; 45% Semillon, 45% Sauvignon Blanc and Gris and 10% de Muscadelle.
Organics: One organic technique Katharina uses is essential oils.
Organic Certification: 2004 Conversion to certified organic status began 02nd August 2004 via Ecocert. | 2007 First vintage with full organic certification (Ecocert).
Winery: Completely restored from 2002 onwards. Stainless steel and wooden vats.
Dry white wines
Bergerac Blanc Sec AOC, Château K ‘Fût’: 2014 30% each Sauvignon Blanc & Gris, Sémillon, 10% Muscadelle. Crisp, nice texture (Millésime Bio 2016).
Red wine
Bergerac Rouge AOC, Château K: 2014 95% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc. Stainless steel, no oak. Nice red, lovely fruit, texture (Millésime Bio 2016).
Bergerac Rouge AOC, Château K ‘Fût’: The oak-aged version of the above.
Sweet white wines
Saussignac AOC
Contact
Château K
Le Fougueyrat
F-24240 Saussignac (Dordogne), France
Tel+33 (0)5.53.58.79.60 | Website: www.chateau-k.com