Canon Fronsac wines have been reputed since the 18th century.
Château Belloy, owned by the Travers family, is a perfect reminder of this affluent
"Belle Epoque" period. It is located on a south-facing slope, extends westwards
and overlooks the "Junayme" valley, with a pleasant, open view. The vines grow
on predominantly chalk slopes, facing south, constituting excellent potential for
producing quality wines.
Records dating back to 1779, refer to the Arnoux family at Belloy, but it was the Lanore's
who undertook improvement work on the château itself and added its terraced park in the
1860's.
The quality of Belloy wines is historically attested by the high taxes the estate was
subject to. In the Libourne tax register of 1741, Belloy, which then belonged to the
Fourcaud family, was taxed at 20 old Livres for its first quality vines and 15 or 12
Livres for second quality. Saint-Emilion vines in the same period were only assessed at 15
or 16 Livres for first quality wines and 12 or 8 Livres for second quality. Although
direct comparison between tax rates in different villages is a little hazardous, it can be
safely established that in the period from 1735 to 1741, Belloy was already recognised as
a particularly prestigious estate.
The regional wine economy progressed in the 18th century with the development of distant
markets and particularly at the end of the 19th century, when new traders from the
Corrèze region worked hard to develop sales in the north of France and Belgium. The
Travers family continues its generations-old tradition by faithfully selecting the best
Libourne area wines for its clientele.
Homepage - History
Château Bardineau - Château Queyreau de
Haut - Château Belloy |