“Vignobles Courselle” started in 1950, when André Courselle bought Château Thieuley and lay the foundation for a family-owned vineyard located in La Sauve, Bordeaux. In 1972, his son Francis Courselle, a young engineer and oenology professor, took over the management of Thieuley vineyards. Before passing over the family business to his daughters, Marie and Sylvie Courselle, Francis instilled in them his passion for vineyards and wine, both graduated as Agricultural Engineers and Oenologists, and manage the family business today. Marie and Sylvie further enriched their experience by working at various wineries around the world: Australia, California, Italy, Spain and throughout France in Languedoc, Burgundy and Chateauneuf du Pape. At Château Thieuley, they have divided the tasks between them, Marie oversees the technical aspect of the wine making whereas Sylvie runs the commercial side. Together, this charming duo is dedicated to continuing the tradition of quality at Château Thieuley.
The name « Thieule » comes from the ancient French word ‘tioule’, a tile factory that used the local clay, key component of the great Bordeaux vineyards. The soils are a mix of clay and gravel, the vineyards yield red and white Bordeaux AOC in equal proposition, a fact unusual in the Bordeaux appellation, better known for its red wines. All the wines from the estate are blends of grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon for the whites and Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon for the reds. The proportions vary according to the cuvée and vintage. Their personal belief is that each variety brings different qualities, aromas and flavors; and that carefully blended wines are always more complex than single-varietal wines.
For generations, agricultural commonsense has guided the family in their farming methods and helped to keep everything in balance and harmony with nature. Their winemaking has evolved along with the evolution of winemaking equipment and techniques, and environmental constraints. Since the 2017 vintage, the family’s’ environmentally friendly winemaking methods have achieved "Terra Vitis" certification. This is based on the three pillars of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic; in order to maintain respect for nature, people and wines.