List of products by brand CHATEAU BELLEVUE
Château Bellevue occupies 3 hectares on the south and south-westerly slopes of Saint-Émilion, in the Gironde. Founded in 1642, it ranks among the most anciently documented properties in the appellation. Since 2022, the Pradel de Lavaux family have farmed it entirely under certified organic and HVE principles.
One of Saint-Émilion's oldest family properties
Few châteaux in Bordeaux can trace a continuous family connection as far back as Château Bellevue. The Pradel de Lavaux family held the property from 1642 until 1938 — nearly three centuries of unbroken stewardship in a single lineage. That is a remarkable span even by the standards of Saint-Émilion, an appellation whose history is itself measured in centuries. Following a period of co-ownership with the de Boüard family, proprietors of the celebrated Château Angélus, between 2007 and 2022, the vineyard was divided. The 3 hectares that now constitute Château Bellevue reverted exclusively to the Pradel de Lavaux family in 2022, marking a deliberate return to independent family ownership and a renewed commitment to the estate's own identity.
A terroir of contrasts: marine limestone and sandy colluvions
The 3 hectares of Château Bellevue sit on south and south-westerly facing slopes — an exposure that maximises ripening in this corner of the Gironde. What makes the terroir particularly compelling is its internal variety. On the upper slopes, the soils are argilo-calcaire of marine origin, rich in magnesium and iron: structured, mineral ground that imparts backbone and precision to the wines. Lower down the slope, sandy colluvions soften the profile, lending a rounder, more supple character. The entire vineyard is planted to Merlot, the dominant variety of Saint-Émilion, which here finds conditions well suited to expressing both the firmness of the limestone and the generosity encouraged by the sandy lower ground. This interplay between the two soil types gives the wines of Château Bellevue a layered quality that rewards patience in the cellar.
Certified organic farming and HVE
Since the Pradel de Lavaux family resumed sole ownership in 2022, the château has been farmed under certified organic agriculture alongside High Environmental Value (HVE) certification. These are not simply labels: they represent a considered approach to working soils that have been cultivated for close to four centuries, preserving their vitality for the long term. For a small 3-hectare property, this level of commitment to sustainable viticulture is both a statement of intent and a practical expression of respect for the terroir.
The wines of Château Bellevue
The château produces red wine exclusively, from 100% Merlot grown on its argilo-calcaire and sandy-colluvion soils in the Saint-Émilion appellation.
- Saint-Émilion Rouge — a Merlot-driven red from south-facing slopes, combining the mineral structure of marine limestone with the softer, rounder character of the lower colluvion soils. Suited to medium-term cellaring.
Why we have selected Château Bellevue
At Halles Quercamps, we are drawn to properties where terroir, history, and human commitment converge in a coherent and honest way. Château Bellevue offers precisely that. The combination of a founding date of 1642, a genuinely distinctive dual-soil terroir within Saint-Émilion, and the Pradel de Lavaux family's decision to farm organically from the moment they resumed sole ownership in 2022 — all of this speaks to a seriousness of purpose that we find compelling. This is a château for the confirmed Bordeaux enthusiast who values provenance and terroir character over commercial familiarity. At the table, we would suggest it alongside roasted lamb, a côte de bœuf, or a well-aged hard cheese — dishes that will meet the wine's structure without overwhelming its more delicate mineral notes.
Explore all wines from this château
Browse the full range of wines from Château Bellevue in our Bordeaux selection, listed below.
