Team spirit
Bertrand Delavelle, Estate Manager, is supported on a daily basis by Mathilde Chaillou, Cellar Master and Alex Blanchard, Vineyard Manager.
Bertrand Delavelle,
Estate Manager
Originally from Franche-Comté, Bertrand discovered his passion for wine after studying sociology, followed by a two-year technical degree and a master’s degree in viticulture and oenology. After several experiences in Burgundy and the Graves region, he joined Château Belgrave in 2018, drawn to the estate’s autonomy and family atmosphere. He enjoys working with a young and dynamic team and closely following each step of the winemaking process, from vine to bottle. For him, Belgrave is a place of life and passion, where he watches his children grow up while shaping the estate’s identity. His favorite vintage: 2022, an exemplary vintage both in the vineyard and in the cellar.
Mathilde Chaillou,
Cellar Master
Originally from the Vendée region, Mathilde initially explored perfumery before finding her calling in wine, drawn to the direct connection with the vineyard and the cellar. After a Master’s degree in Vine and Wine from ISVV and experience gained both in France and abroad, she joined Château Belgrave in 2022 as assistant cellar master, and was promoted in 2023. Curious and passionate, she enjoys experimenting and considers the barrel cellar her “safe place.” Each vintage she contributes to is a great source of pride.
Alex Blanchard,
Vineyard Manager
Having grown up immersed in viticulture, Alex truly discovered his calling at wine school and trained through apprenticeships at Château Kirwan and then Chantegrive. After an initial experience as assistant vineyard manager, he joined Château Belgrave in 2020 as vineyard manager, leading a strong and experienced team. He particularly enjoys the lack of routine and embracing the unexpected challenges of daily life. Proud to be part of the evolution of the estate’s wine style, he holds a special fondness for the 2022 vintage, which coincides with the birth of his daughter.
Viticulture
Ensuring the optimal quality of the grapes is one of the team's biggest challenges.
We proudly embrace our identity: that of a Grand Cru Classé of Médoc, crafted by passionate individuals eager to reveal the extraordinary richness of our terroir.
To achieve this, we have conducted in-depth studies of Chateau Belgrave terroir and vines behavior, taking into account the nature of the subsoil and water supply. 75% of the vineyard is currently planted at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare.
This painstaking work allows us to precisely map the entire vineyard. We can visualize, within our plots, areas with similar ripening development. This in-depth knowledge of the vineyard and the terroir enables us to produce healthy grapes of uniform ripeness and to create homogeneous vats.
Vinification
Chateau Belgrave is equiped with winemaking and ageing facilities adapted to the terroir.
These facilities respect as much as possible the diversity and character of the grapes from intra-plot selection for the gentlest possible transformation.
The large vat room has been completely renovated and now houses 33 stainless steel tanks of varying capacities, including 6 small, truncated conical tanks. The semi-underground barrel cellar provides an ideal space for ageing our wines.
Our environmental commitment
At Chateau Belgrave, we are committed to a comprehensive approach to reducing inputs.
As part of our collaboration with the Conservatoire des Races d’Aquitaine, (Aquitaine Breed Conservatory), we host a small flock of Landes sheep which contribute to the maintenance of the estate’s meadows. We also favour the use of compost, a natural fertilizer.
We have planted 850 meters of hedgerows to encourage bird nesting. In this context, we are working with the LPO (Ligue for the protection of birds) to develop and improve the ecosystem necessary for biodiversity. An inventory has been carried out in 2023, identifying, for example, 54 bird species, 33 butterfly species, 7 amphibian species, and 10 bat species.
Nearly a third of the Chateau Belgrave grounds are not planted, creating a significant biodiversity reservoir. The presence of hedges also contributes to this biodiversity by facilitating the movement of wildlife (wild boars, deers, etc.).
