Montlau, formerly known as Mont des lauriers, enjoys an exceptional location. Nestling at the top of a hill overlooking the valley opposite Saint-Émilion, it offers one of the most magnificent panoramas along the Dordogne.
Its origins date back to Gallo-Roman and Anglo-Gascon times.
Archaeological evidence, such as the four terraces and the artefacts discovered, as well as information passed on by historians, confirm Montlau’s Gallo-Roman origins. Since the 20th century, written documents and buildings bear witness to the evolution of the castle as it stands today. From the outset, Montlau was of strategic importance, but it is also important to highlight its role as an agricultural and wine-growing estate, as the first vineyards were established here in 1473. At that time, Montlau’s vast vineyards were unique, making it probably the oldest ‘organised’ wine château in the Bordeaux region.
Through successive owners, the estate has benefited from a number of embellishments, not forgetting the splendid period of the 19th century. Since 1971, Armand Schuster de Ballwil has breathed new life into this property, which had been dormant for some time, and in 2021 celebrated the 50th harvest of the Schuster de Ballwil family. The 2023 vintage represents the 550th harvest of our vineyard, 1473 – 2023 a 1/2-Millennium!
