Chateau de la Mar

The history of the Chateau de la Mar

The first records mentioning the Château de la Mar date back to 1244. At the time, it was a fortified house, owned by local lords who did not yet cultivate vines. The castle is occupied from 1392 by Humbert and Guillaume de Mareste who are at the origin of the name of the vintage Marestel.

The first vines are planted from 1432, by Claude de Mareste who imported from Cyprus a grape variety named Amos. Claude renamed the grape variety Altesse in honor of Anne de Lusignan, also called Anne of Cyprus, because she was born in Nicosia. She was at the time the wife of Louis 1ᵉʳ of Savoy, giving her the title of Duchess of Savoy. The Duke of Savoy Amedee VIII had, in his highly political dealings, arranged for Anne to marry his son Louis, in order to consolidate the ties between Cyprus and Savoy.

The Marestel family was succeeded by the Aymavigne family until the end of the 16th century. At the beginning of the 17th century, the de la Mar family bought the building and undertook its restoration, at the same time as its enlargement. The Château de la Mar was born.

During the French Revolution of 1789, the Château de la Mar was confiscated, but fortunately not destroyed. The family did manage to recover it, but not for long. In 1818, Thérèse-Lucie de la Mar sold it to General Comte de Boigne. It was then sold to the Count of Cordon.

The Jeandet brothers bought Château de la Mar in 1954 and developed the vineyard and agricultural exploitation. Today, it belongs to Jean-Paul Richard. The exploitation is only wine, supplemented by an activity of tourism, with room of hosts, gastronomic restaurant and oenological course.

The Château de la Mar vineyard

The vineyard of Château de la Mar stretches at the foot of the Alps, on the left bank of the Rhone behind Le Bourget du Lac. It is composed by 250 hectares of vineyards, spreading over more than 12 kilometers on the lands of Jongieux. The jewel of the vineyard, the Marestel vintage, occupies 22 hectares. It is reputed to be one of the most beautiful terroirs of Savoie.

The soil is essentially composed of marl-limestone scree from the Kimmeridgian era. The terraces are extremely steep and benefit from a full western exposure. The proximity of the Rhône creates a microclimate favorable to the vines.

The vineyard is conducted in reasoned agriculture and the vines remain partially grassed. Harvesting and sorting are done manually.

The wines of Château de la Mar

Château de la Mar produces both white and red wines.

Crus Marestel - white vintages

- Les Tourelles
- Le Golliat
- Le Verney
- La Chapelle

Coteau Marestel - red vintages

- Le Pinot
- La Mondeuse