Official website of tourism in Pays de Bergerac - Vignoble et Bastides - Dordogne - Périgord

Montravel terroir

Montravel is the land of a pioneering philosopher within the humanist movement: Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, who was born in 1533 within the appellation area.

Montravel terroir
Montravel terroir
Les vignerons de Montravel ©Loïc Mazalrey
Les vignerons de Montravel ©Loïc Mazalrey

Montravel terroir is located to the north-west of the Pays de Bergerac. Although Michel de Montaigne's château, situated in the village bearing his name, was unfortunately destroyed in a fire, the tower in which he wrote his Essays has been preserved and can be visited year-round.

Montravel offers a range of 4 colours of wine – dry, sweet and dessert whites and red – all with a delicacy and mineral freshness that reflect their terroir.

The terroir boasts 3 appellations. Montravel regional appellation has been an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) since 1937 for white wines and 2001 for red wines.


Grape varieties
Montravel rouge : Merlot, Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Malbec
Montravel blanc sec, Côtes de Montravel, Haut-Montravel : Sauvignon blanc et gris, Sémillon, Muscadelle

 

Key figures

  • 150 hectares of vines
  • 35 winegrowers
  • 7900 hectolitres per year on average