The Château ESCOT wine estate is located on the Médoc peninsula, part of the Bordeaux wine region. The perfect microclimatic conditions have a major influence on the character of Château ESCOT and the other wines produced on this wine estate.
The Médoc region is particularly famous for its phenomenal red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot grapes. The local white varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvigon Gris are also very popular with consumers. White wines are very rare in the region and in small production.
The red wines of Château ESCOT are classified as ‘Cru Bourgeois’, a classification which is renewed every 5 years and which testifies to the excellence of the wines.
The site on which the estate of Château ESCOT and its park are located has been inhabited since Gallo-Roman times. The fertility of the soil and the presence of a water source undoubtedly explain man’s interest in this part of the region.
Archaeological finds dating back from fifteen hundred years bear witness to this. Whether flint, Roman coins or coins from the medieval or imperial period, all these items bear witness to the permanent presence and life of man in this region.
The name Escot originated in the Middle Ages, it was the name of the local tax and used to belong to a tax collector. Although this function disappeared over time, the name of the wine estate has been preserved to this day. The winery, which includes a beautiful park and an impressive historic castle, is one of the oldest in the Médoc. Vines have been cultivated here without interruption for 150 years.
In 1858, Monsieur d’Armailhac, a local notable and wine lover, classified Château ESCOT’s production as a ‘Crus Bourgeois’. This was a mark of exceptional wine quality. The Bordeaux bourgeois who benefited from this privilege were exempt from local sales and export taxes on their wines in the Middle Ages. The tax exemption encouraged wealthy Bordeaux families to buy up the most valuable land in the region. These conditions encouraged the development of the wine region.
The ‘Crus des Bourgeois’ brand became an important benchmark. It was so successful that it continued to be used for the great wines of the region after the abolition of the privilege.
In 1932, the vernacular name of origin became a legal appellation. It was then that the CCI (Bordeaux Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and the Chamber of Agriculture published the first official classification of Cru Bourgeois wines. A total of 444 wines inherit of this distinction according to their classification, including Château ESCOT, which bears witness to its consistently excellent quality. Since 2008, the label has had to be approved each 5 years by a committee of experts, the Alliance Crus Bourgois du Médoc.
After several owners, the winery was acquired in 2019 by 2 investors from Czech Republic, one promoter and wine lover Richard Morávek and one wine merchant and sommelier Vít Bartošek. Château ESCOT project is an affair of the heart for both of them. They devote a great energy and passion to the winegrowing.
In autumn 2023, the construction of new technical buildings began. The complete renovation of the castle and adjacent park also began in summer 2024. Since 2019, the estate’s original vineyards have also been undergoing a complete restructuration.
The owners have gradually purchased additional vines on high-quality terroirs and, after six years, have achieved their goal of having 30 hectares of vines in production. The owners’ ambition is to open the estate to the public by developing wine tourism.
All these modern tools that we are setting will enable us to elevate our Cru Bourgeois wines to the rank of Cru Bourgeois Supérieur, and then, we hope, Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.
With the new Château ESCOT, we want to continue the tradition of winemaking at the château using the latest techniques. At the same time, we want to preserve the unique spirit of this place. We plan to open the entire estate not only to wine connoisseurs, but also to guests from all over the world, for whom a visit will become an unforgettable experience. We want the renovated Château ESCOT to become a popular destination on the Bordeaux wine map. Visitors will not only find an excellent wine pairing, but also a great place to celebrate life.
Once the renovation is complete, an elegant hotel with swimming pool and winter garden will also be built. Château ESCOT will become the ideal destination, whether you want to celebrate a wedding, experience unconventional team building or simply holiday in a unique location.
The chateau itself, the chateau park and the winery technology are gradually undergoing reconstruction. The processing and production parts are currently being completely rebuilt. We can look forward to a new wine cellar, barrel cellar and tasting room. Brand new buildings are also being constructed to serve as warehouses and facilities for production and staff.
The renovation will be completely over in autumn 2025.