On the southern edge of the La Clape AOP , Château Capitoul is a property of Vignobles Bonfils that is very expressive of the Mediterranean identity and seafront wines.
A balcony overlooking the sea
At the gateway to Gruissan, at the foot of the La Clape massif , stands the imposing silhouette of Château Capitoul . Arriving from Narbonne, the vineyards lining the road hint at the building's presence before it emerges against the sky, dominating the landscape. Perched on a promontory flanked by 64 hectares of vines, it offers a panoramic view of the sea, the nearby lagoons, and the neighboring Pyrenees. Garrigue scrubland and umbrella pines lend the place a Mediterranean authenticity, accompanied by the song of cicadas. While the château itself reflects the 19th - century style, the site has been wine-growing land since Roman times, when vines already flourished. Today, it is one of the cornerstones of the Bonfils Vineyards . Under their guidance, Château Capitoul is poised to become a major wine tourism complex , soon to house 45 vineyard cottages nestled into the landscape.
Maritime influences
Château Capitoul inherited its name from the 15th century when the chapter of the Canons of Narbonne oversaw the vineyard's management. History and landscape combine here to form a remarkable whole, which Vignobles Bonfils is dedicated to restoring to its former glory. The grape varieties planted in the vineyard itself reflect the specific characteristics of the La Clape appellation . Hugging the contours of the land that mark the appellation's southern boundary, very close to the Gruissan lagoon, the vines absorb maritime influences, resulting in wines distinguished by their iodine and mineral notes. Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre contribute to the definition of the red wines. Bourboulenc, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Viognier lend their typicity to the white wines. The winery, for its part, was designed by a previous owner in the style of naval architecture. It is what makes this breeding ground so unique, where the concrete tank equipment suggests winemaking focused on the fruit.
Mediterranean wines
Aging in tanks determines the character of the wines. When Château Capitoul wines are aged in oak barrels, the oak influence is subtle. The cellar master's aim is to bring out the full intensity of the fruit. The Rocaille range , available in both white and red, is made from a selection of old vines. In the red version, Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache impart a complex structure of black fruit and spice. In the white version, partial aging in oak barrels allows Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier to blend their aromatic harmonies with subtle oak notes. With Oros , the concentration and complexity of the old vines define this cuvée, also available in red and white barrel-aged versions. The red wine's distinctive character is characterized by its powerful fruit, velvety texture, and integrated tannins enhanced by toasty notes. For the white wine, it's the notes of exotic fruits with lemony accents, hinting at truffle aromas, that aging enhances. With Maëlma , an exclusive cuvée, the Mediterranean signature takes on a sublime dimension, amplified by the whole-cluster fermentation process. The Syrah, bursting with red fruit and spice, complements the roundness of the Grenache, while the Mourvèdre accentuates the personality of this exceptional red wine. A captivating singularity joining the collection, Les Oubliées benefits from drying on the grapes and 36 months of aging in new oak barrels to offer a sweet wine that Château Capitoul produces only in exceptional vintages.
