Published the 09/01/2025 in Exploring the Region

When "Chais-d’œuvres" Elevate Our Vineyards 

South of France, land of great vintages, is also a playground for renowned contemporary architects. From Saint-Émilion to the Médoc, wine estates compete in creativity, offering spaces where the art of building enhances the art of winemaking. Let’s explore these estates where wine and architecture engage in an audacious and elegant dialogue.

Le Dôme – Saint-Émilion

 Photo credit: Le Dôme

1, Les Verdiannes, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Architect: Norman Foster

Imagined by visionary winemaker Jonathan Maltus and designed by Lord Norman Foster, Le Dôme is an architectural marvel. This circular wine cellar, 40 meters in diameter and partially buried, blends seamlessly into the UNESCO-classified landscape of Saint-Émilion. Its terracotta tiled roof and French oak structure create an immersive experience where natural light magnifies the winemaking space.

Château Margaux – Margaux

Photo credit: Mathieu Anglada

33460 Margaux
Architect: Norman Foster

To mark its bicentennial, Château Margaux entrusted Norman Foster with the design of the "New Cellar," a discreet and elegant extension to its historic estate. This building, with its double-pitched roof supported by tree-like columns, houses the white wine production and a research center. A subterranean vinotheque completes the ensemble, masterfully blending tradition and modernity.

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion – Bordeaux

Photo credit: Philippe Stark

20 Rue des Carmes, 33000 Bordeaux
Architects: Philippe Starck & Luc Arsène-Henry

Like a ship rising from the waters, the cellar of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion, designed by Philippe Starck, captivates with its audacity. Its metallic structure appears to float on a reflective pool, housing cutting-edge winemaking technology for this urban grand cru. This architectural feat reflects Starck’s unique vision—also seen in the nearby Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes Hotel, which extends the same refined and contemporary aesthetic.

Château La Dominique – Saint-Émilion

Photo credit: Château La Dominique

1 La Dominique, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Architect: Jean Nouvel

Jean Nouvel created a bold architectural statement at Château La Dominique, clad in shimmering red panels. This building, both a work of art and a production facility, engages with the surrounding vineyards and offers a panoramic terrace overlooking the Saint-Émilion landscape.

Château Cheval Blanc – Saint-Émilion

Photo credit: Erick Saillet

1 Cheval Blanc, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Architect: Christian de Portzamparc

The cellar at Château Cheval Blanc, designed by Christian de Portzamparc, is characterized by its gentle curves and green roof. Perfectly integrated into the landscape, it reflects the excellence and innovation of this Premier Grand Cru Classé A.

 

Château La Fleur de Boüard – Lalande-de-Pomerol

 

Photo credit: Château La Fleur de Boüard

1 Le Bourg, 33500 Néac
Architecture: Bernard Mazières

Located in Lalande-de-Pomerol, Château La Fleur de Boüard features an innovative gravity-fed cellar. Designed to enable gentle winemaking without pumping, the building combines contemporary aesthetics with cutting-edge functionality, embodying precise and respectful viticulture.

Château Grand-Puy Ducasse – Pauillac

Photo credit: Château Grand-Puy Ducasse

1 Rue du Maréchal Joffre, 33250 Pauillac
Architecture: Bernard Mazières

In Pauillac, Château Grand-Puy Ducasse harmoniously blends its elegant 19th-century façade with state-of-the-art facilities redesigned by Bernard Mazières. The result is a sober yet functional cellar, honoring heritage while serving the needs of precision winemaking.

Château Angélus – Saint-Émilion

 

Photo credit: Deepix

1 D243, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Architecture: Bernard Mazières

An emblem of Saint-Émilion, Château Angélus has successfully merged tradition and innovation by commissioning Bernard Mazières to renovate its facilities. The new cellar, perfectly integrated into the vineyard, maintains the spirit of the place while infusing it with modern elegance.

Château Montlabert – Saint-Émilion

 

Photo credit: Château Montlabert

1 Montlabert, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Architecture: Bernard Mazières

Château Montlabert, a discreet gem of Saint-Émilion, reveals a sleek, contemporary cellar designed by Bernard Mazières. The subtle dialogue between historic stone and modern lines provides an elegant setting for meticulous winemaking.

 

 

Eager to experience this unique meeting of art, wine, and architecture? Our agency designs tailor-made stays at the heart of these exceptional estates, offering a refined and personalized immersion into the winemaking heritage of the South of France.