Château Le Geai

Estate Overview

Located in the north of the Libournais region in Bayas (Gironde), Château Le Geai is a family estate revived in 2000 by Henri Duporge, who personally manages the vineyards and cellar. The property is certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter), making it one of the pioneers of natural viticulture in Bordeaux.

Vineyard & Soils

  • Location: South and southeast-facing slopes above the Isle River in Bayas.

  • Total area: Approximately 12–18 hectares under vine.

  • Soils: Blue clay (“argile bleue”), gravelly outcrops, and iron-rich clays (“crasses ferriques”) that contribute depth and minerality.

  • Viticulture:

    • Manual work in all parcels.

    • No synthetic herbicides or insecticides.

    • Use of plant-based preparations, compost teas, and biodynamic treatments.

    • Ground cover maintained to preserve soil life and biodiversity.

    • Hedgerows, orchards, and meadows integrated into vineyard design.

  • Average yield: Around 35 hl/ha, depending on vintage.

Grapes & Varieties

  • Merlot (dominant)

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Cabernet Franc

  • Malbec (Cot)

  • Carménère

Typical blend for Bordeaux Supérieur: approximately 70 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 % Cabernet Franc, and 5 % Malbec/Carménère.

Vinification & Cellar Work

  • Fermentation:

    • 100 % indigenous yeasts.

    • No chemical inputs.

    • Minimal intervention; no fining or filtration for most cuvées.

  • “Glougloutage” method:

    • A technique created by Henri Duporge in which the cap remains submerged, allowing fermentation in a closed environment without pumping over or punching down.

    • This gentle maceration enhances purity, texture, and aromatic precision.

  • Aging:

    • Depending on cuvée: terracotta amphorae, neutral oak barrels, or stainless steel.

    • Many wines aged 12–18 months before bottling.

  • Sulphur use: None or minimal; several cuvées are bottled sans soufre ajouté (no added sulphur).

  • Bottling: Gravity-fed; unfiltered and unfined.

House Style

Château Le Geai’s wines express energy, freshness, and depth while remaining faithful to their terroir.

  • Aromatics: black fruits, violets, graphite, subtle spice.

  • Palate: fine-grained tannins, supple mid-palate, and persistent mineral tension.

  • Philosophy: wines that balance authenticity and precision through biodynamic practices and low-intervention winemaking.

Key Cuvées

  • Le Grand G – Blend dominated by Merlot with small proportions of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Carménère. Fermented naturally and aged in a mix of amphorae, stainless steel, and neutral oak.

  • Plasma – 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon from iron-rich clay. Long maceration and ageing in terracotta amphora (80%) and neutral oak (20%). Bottled without sulphur.

  • Ultrablue – 100 % Malbec grown on blue clay. Aged in amphora and neutral wood for 12–14 months. Pure, concentrated, and energetic.

Technical Contacts

Château Le Geai
Lieu-dit Touzet
33230 Bayas, Gironde, France
📞 +33 (0) 5 57 49 00 74
📧 hduporge@gmail.com
🌐 www.le-g.fr