Natural Nobility
The ancient vineyard of Château Canon-La-Gaffelière covers 20 hectares on the southern slopes of the hills overlooking the medieval town of Saint-Emilion. The clay-limestone and sandy soil has a complex structure and is ideal for producing quality wines. Stephan von Neipperg approaches winegrowing from a highly ecological point of view. Maintaining the vineyard's natural equilibrium contributes to making apure, unique wine that expresses the individuality of its terroir (soil and microclimate).Only organic fertilisers with a very low nitrogen content are used. They are absorbed into the soil very slowly and do not alter its character.

Vineyard operations such as de-budding, suckering, and thinning the vines ensure optimal, balanced growth and regulate yields naturally. The vines are protected by carefully-applied "homeopathic treatments" that do not endanger wildlife. Vineyard management takes into account all the special characteristics of each plot. This level of care extends into the cellar where the vat system makes it possible to make wines separately, and then combine them into the best possible homogeneous blend. The various stages of winemaking are unhurried. Any excessive changes in temperature are avoided, so that the grapes can express their full potential. This care continues into the ageing process, during which the wine is kept on its lees in oak barrels. The goal is to enhance the intrinsic qualities of the wine without changing them. Human intervention is kept to a minimum. Fining and filtering are light, and only done at all if required by the vintage. Barrel ageing (50% to 70% new barrels every year) lasts from 13 to 22 months depending on the year.

This natural equilibrium, based on quality grapes, produces very special wines of a consistently high standard. Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is remarkably well-structured and very elegant, with a long aftertaste. It exemplifies the care and quest for perfection that go into the winemaking process. The skill of a tight-knit team led by Stephan von Neipperg is responsible for making a wine that lives up to the potential of Chateau Canon-La-Gaffelière's excellent soil. The vineyard and cellar are run by a staff of fifteen. Winemaking is overseen by Cécile Gardaix, the estate's irreplaceable executive secretary, Paul Pétrou, a dedicated winemaker who realises the importance of vineyard management, and Stéphane Derenoncourt, the talented cellarmaster, who is also a specialist in bio-dynamic wine production. Château Canon-La-Gaffelière produces some 90,000 bottles of wine year, of which approximately 85% are exported. The wine is sold through traditional wine shippers. There is also a small number of private customers.

This vineyard became property of the firm Chanel in the mid-nineties, which is undertaking a programme or renovation of the vineyards and buildings.

Canon’s subsoil is full of underground galleries dug out of solid limestone.

Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines are grown in the traditional way. The grapes are hand-picked and the wine is fermented in oak vats before bottling. This is a tannic, powerful wine, built to last and last. The blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon gives a muscular and full bodied wine.

Thanks to its inimitable soil, the wine of Canon has gained a lofty reputation and has been appreciated around the world for over two centuries.