Château Pindefleurs

Château Pindefleurs is a family-run wine estate in the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation, tucked at the foot of the hillside just west of the town of Saint-Émilion. The fully restored 18th-century property pairs historic architecture with a modern approach to viticulture, and has been run since 2006 by Audrey and Pierre Lauret, a younger generation of owners related by family to the neighboring Château Pipeau.

What's the story behind the château?

Before the Lauret family took over, the estate once belonged to the Dior family. Audrey and Pierre Lauret bought the property in 2006 and have since renovated the buildings and modernized production while keeping the intimate, family-run character that defines the estate today.

What does the vineyard produce?

The vineyard covers roughly 17 to 18 hectares planted on a mix of gravel, clay and sand soils, giving the wines their depth and complexity. The vines are more than thirty years old, planted mainly to Merlot (around 90%) with Cabernet Franc filling out the blend. Château Pindefleurs makes two wines: its flagship Château Pindefleurs and a smaller cuvée called Les Enfants de la Plaine, made entirely from Merlot.

In the vineyard, the team relies on cover cropping between rows, green harvesting to limit yields, and leaf thinning to improve sun exposure on the grape clusters. In the cellar, winemaking is gentle, with frequent pump-overs and traditional vertical pressing, followed by aging in French oak barrels.

What will you see on a visit?

A visit walks you from the vines to the cellar, following the wine through each stage of production — harvest, fermentation, and barrel aging. The tour wraps up with a tasting of both estate wines, led in a relaxed, personal setting by the family or their small team rather than a scripted group tour.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

The château sits at 1237 Route de Pin de Fleur, right by Saint-Émilion. Visitors arriving by train can walk from the station in about 15 minutes, though drivers should note that road access is a little less straightforward than at some neighboring estates — checking the route in advance or calling ahead helps. Visits are best booked by phone before arriving, especially during the busier spring-to-autumn season when the surrounding Saint-Émilion châteaux also see the most visitors. Tastings and entry are free for anyone under 18.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book a visit in advance? Yes — visits are intimate and by appointment, so calling or booking ahead is recommended, particularly on weekends and during peak season.

How much does the tasting cost? A standard visit with tasting costs around €10 per person; visitors under 18 are admitted and tasted for free.

Which wines can you taste? The visit includes the flagship Château Pindefleurs and Les Enfants de la Plaine, an intimate cuvée made entirely from Merlot.

Can you get there without a car? Yes — it's about a 15-minute walk from the Saint-Émilion train station, though driving directions can be trickier to follow than for some other estates in the area.