Château Bellefont-Belcier in Saint-Emilion is an estate with a lot of charm, a great terroir and a potential wine tourism. Since its opening to the public, it has become a model of wine tourism and an ambassador of wines from its region and the art de vivre, with a personalized approach for tasting tours, as well as for the hospitality at the estate.
Two years of renovation
Château Bellefont-Belcier is one of the oldest estates in Saint-Emilion, with vines planted in the 18th century and the first buildings built in the 19th. In 2017 Peter Kwok, the owner of Vignobles K, an entrepreneur and a great lover of French art and culture, acquired this estate and initiated two years of renovation with the aim of preserving and improving its heritage, without changing everything.
The two-level rotunda cellar, over 100 years old, very efficient and modern already for its time, was preserved and renovated. The roof and insulation were completely redone and the cellar was divided into three to be able to manage the different temperatures. The concrete vats, which are perfectly suited to the vinification of grapes, from the clay-limestone terroir, were renovated and restructured for plot-by-plot vinifications. Everything was undertaken with the aim of preserving and respecting the history of the property.
The wooden barrels and vats, which are used to obtain balance and finesse in the wines, were added to the winery.
Today, in Bellefont-Belcier, everything is done to make the estate shine again and put it among the great wines of Saint-Emilion, by making wine tourism its ambassador.
The rotunda cellar
Terroir and ecosystem of Château Bellefont-Belcier
Its 14 ha vineyard surrounding the estate offers a homogeneity of terroir and an incredible biodiversity, as well as a reactivity during the harvest, allowing to protect the grapes from oxidation in case of heat, and from humidity in case of rain. Its grape varieties are particular for Saint-Émilion: 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, which is relatively high, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is very successful on certain plots.
The vineyard forms a natural amphitheater, with an almost exclusively limestone part at the top, and limestone soils with molasses lower down. Its cool soils prevent over-ripening in hot vintages, the slopes and a draining terroir allow to evacuate excess water in wet vintages. The forests around the property are also an important element in the balance of the estate. They are maintained and serve as a natural barrier against frost as well as heat peaks in summer.
Not only the vines…
For a few years now, Bellefont-Belcier launched a truffle production with almost 400 truffle trees, from different species, where the black truffle can grow. It is a truffle plantation in production since 2023, whose activity Vignobles K will increase.
Truffle production is an activity close to winemaking. The trees, like the grape varieties, will give different aromas to the truffle, and the terroir for truffles is like the terroir for vines. In addition, truffles, like the vines, respond to the vintages, and finally – wine goes very well with this luxury product.
Wine tourism booming at Vignobles K
The wine tourism approach at Château Bellefont-Belcier is more than a tour of its installations, or the “technical sheet” of the vintages. It tells the story of the château, its heritage, how it was renovated, its philosophy of wine. The guide adapts the visit according to the people in front of him, so that each group has a personalized experience. And the guides stay at the château all year round, know it in detail and have opportunities to learn the work of a winemaker, in order to meet the expectations of amateurs, connoisseurs or wine professionals.
The visit also passes through the Château’s library, which is located in old converted vats and adds real illustrations to its history. It keeps the old vintages of the purchased stock (back to 1916) and is filled with samples of the current vintage every year, in order to preserve them for future generations and to offer a large selection of wines for vertical tastings, special moments.
Numerous works of Japanese, Taiwanese artists, French and Italian crystal art, coming from P. Kwok’s personal collections and through which he would like to share his passion for art, decorate the tour. Later, a visit to the garden will complete it in order to present the historical biodiversity of the Château and its endemic species.
The library of the Château
Bellefont-Belcier has 14 different rooms, for rent or privatization, whether for a seminar or for a wedding. All is made with the aim to offer the best hospitality, with a team always present, in a guest room format. The Château offers many work and relaxation areas – the terrace, walks in the vineyard, a swimming pool, a gym, a bar… Masterclasses, tastings, food and wine pairings, brunches on the terrace or private dinners prepared by a starred chef… Everything is possible. It is the only domain in Saint-Émilion with potential and flexibility for wine tourism, offering also reception for wine professionals, importers, press, etc. Personalized tours of the three domains – Tour Saint Christophe, Bellefont-Belcier in Saint-Émilion and Enclos Tourmaline in Pomerol – focusing on tasting or also the technical and historical part are possible too.
All this variety creates a complete and varied wine tourism offer at Vignobles K, which allows to create brand ambassadors, make them want to come back, talk about their experience around them and look for its wines at their wine merchant because it reminds them of good memories.
Bellefont-Belcier is truly open to the public, with the aim that visitors feel welcome, whether they stay at the domaine, or if they just do a tasting. The Castle is ready to welcome the public 7 days a week, all year round, and there is always a strong demand.
Vignobles K launched a few years ago a successful Wine Club which offers to its members a nice diversity among the six wineries of the family group. A way of sharing a piece of Bordeaux with members of this strong community built over the years and now counting more than 650 members.
