Château de Vialer … the renaissance of a legacy
For more than two decades, proprietor Michael Dee has been devoted to the renaissance of the 14th-century Château de Vialer Estate … restoring it as a cherished family home, reviving the historic boutique vineyard and embracing a life in harmony with the land and seasons.
A hidden gem,
rooted in centuries
of history
Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Pyrenees, Château de Vialer sits at an altitude of 300m, where the influence of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques shapes the climate and terroir.
Situated within the Madiran wine region this historic Estate, originally known as Trinquet, boasts remarkable features including a corbelled turret, Vic-Bilh roofs, intricately carved fireplaces together with original winery buildings, all evoking the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
The Château, framed by intricate wrought iron gates, embodies the region’s rich history and craftsmanship thoughtfully restored to honour its enduring heritage.
An independent boutique vineyard dedicated to the Tannat grape
Château de Vialer’s vineyard plots offer a true reflection of the terroir. Exclusively planted with multiple clones of ancestral Tannat, each carefully selected from a variety of rootstocks, the Estate honours the grape that has long been central to the region’s winemaking heritage.
These plantings embrace the diverse clay, rock and gravel soils, shaping the character of this heritage vineyard.
Tannat is revered for its exceptional quality and notable health benefits. Rich in resveratrol (up to 2.7 times more than most red wines) and polyphenols, recent studies* show that Tannat helps combat cellular ageing, supporting cardiovascular health and improving circulation.
The inherent tannic structure of Tannat offers exceptional ageability, enabling the wine to develop greater complexity and elegance over time.
Consequently, Trinquet by DEE follows a late-release strategy, ensuring the wines are available at the start of their optimal drinking window while maintaining the potential to be cellared for many years and reflecting their signature depth, individuality and evolving finesse.
*Reference: Chirinos, R., et al. (2016). Tannat red wines from Uruguay: Phenolic composition and biological activities. Antioxidants, 5(3), 1-11
Nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees, the Estate lies on the edge of the Madiran production area, which spans three departments: Gers, Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The wines have been specifically classified as ‘Vin de France’, granting the freedom to fully unlock the potential of this distinguished site, both in the vineyard and in the winery.
The southeast-facing vineyards of Château de Vialer offer an ideal foundation for crafting wines of structure, character, elegance, and long ageability. Situated at 300 metres above sea level, the site benefits from a distinctive microclimate: cool nights and Atlantic influence balance the warmth of the sun, with temperatures often several degrees higher than the surrounding valleys. These conditions are perfectly suited to ripening Tannat to its fullest expression while retaining the essential freshness.
