Moncontour: all the secrets of the winemaking world, within reach!
To learn more about the history of wine and how a winery works, we set off for Château Moncontour in Rochecorbon. On the agenda: the Museum of the Vine and Wine, followed by a small tasting – the chance for us to refine our nose and culture!
The winemaking history and know-how behind the Château Moncontour
It is on the banks of the Loire, a little beyond the town of Vouvray, that this winery stands, easily recognisable from the road and offering spectacular views over the whole Loire Valley. This winemaking estate is one of the most prestigious in Val de Loire, and its vineyards are among some of the oldest in the Loire Valley.
For a little history, the Château Moncontour was originally a feudal building. The French king Charles VII had it constructed for his favourite, Agnès Sorel. Burnt down during the Revolution, it would be destroyed again centuries later, in 1942, during the Second World War. The castle was then reconstructed, exactly as it was in the Renaissance.
Today, the Château Moncontour is a winery revealing a family history and owned by the Feray family since 1994. The Feray vineyards extend over 130 hectares, split into 6 different estates, including the Château Moncontour in Rochecorbon. These vineyards produce a range of different wines: white, sparkling, rosé and red, of various controlled appellations – Vouvray, Crémant de Loire, Touraine, Chinon and Cheverny.
Discovering the secrets of the vine … and the wine!
It was after a little presentation of the winery that we pushed open the doors of the Museum of the Vine and Wine in the former cellars of the Château Moncontour. What’s more, we learnt that this museum is home to one of the largest collections of objects focused on the world of growing and making wines in the west of France, with nearly 3,000 pieces, mostly obtained through donations. On top of all that, amongst these objects and tools linked to the various trades involved in winegrowing and making, we observed barrels, serpette knives, scalders and even presses. We were amazed by how big they were!
As we made our way through the museum, thanks to the educational panels, we discovered the lifecycle of the wine and the work carried out all year round, according to the seasons. There were even reconstructions to illustrate this winemaking know-how with models, adding a touch of fun to our learning. We adored the little quotes about the months of the year related to the vines, such as ‘January dry and fine, fills the attic and the cellar‘, entertaining us throughout the tour.
You could easily spend hours in the museum, carefully observing the objects. Each tool is accompanied by an explanation of its use and operation. What we really appreciated was the visual wealth offered up by this museum, and the simplicity of its explanations. We learnt that chenin blanc is also known as pineau de la Loire. We also now understand the importance of tuffeau stone in the wine cellars.
The unique touches that made this tour unforgettable
Our little favourite was the authentic cave house at the end of the tour, presenting the everyday life of winemakers at the time. A real return to our childhood, in the countryside and at our grandparents’ homes. There, we found everyday objects we once knew and could see ourselves using again.
After exploring the museum, we were offered a little tasting of the Château de Moncontour’s wine. In the shop, we got comfortable around a barrel to taste a Grand Réserve 2021 vintage sparkling Vouvray. We could feel the finesse of its bubbles and the sweetness of the grape: chenin blanc. Thanks to our host’s explanations throughout the tasting, we discovered the characteristics of the AOC Vouvray region. These include the know-how that goes into the traditional method for making sparkling wine.
What’s more, the Château Moncontour offers several packages for the museum and tastings, as well as some privileged tours. With this, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the buildings in which the vats are located, the museum and a food-and-wine pairing tasting. Finally, to reach as wide an audience as possible, the guided tours on offer are bilingual – just like the educational panels.
For lovers of French literature or keen walkers, the Château Moncontour has recently created ‘the tour of the literary gardens‘. This is the chance to make your way through the castle’s park, where various stations have been set up highlighting 19 works by Balzac. Incidentally, the latter had an enormous soft spot for the Château de Moncontour, once even proclaiming that ‘Moncontour is my favourite!’.
Some practical information before you arrive
- Unguided tours without pre-booking for the Museum of the Vine and Wine
- Option for guided tour
- Find opening hours and package rates on their website!
- For your events, you can also hire out the rooms of the Feray vineyards, or the Baccus cave cellar.
- Option to export wines abroad (for individuals)
- Visit their Instagram and Facebook!
