History
In 1985, François Mauriac’s children donated their father’s house to the Regional Council of Aquitaine. The council then created Malagar’s Center of François Mauriac in 1986.
As an experienced wine producer, wine tradesman, and avid reader of Nobel Peace Prize Winner François Mauriac’s works, Jean Merlaut acquired the vineyard of the Malagar estate in 2004.
Since then, Merlaut has worked passionately and energetically to maximize quality wine production while maintaining healthy soil.
François Mauriac gave these few hectares of vines an idea of the continuation of things. And that’s the objective I have set myself, to continue vine-related things the best I can.
– Jean Merlaut –
On the well-exposed sunny slopes of Malagar, the vines flourish in perfect order.
Terroir and landscape
Château Malagar’s wine is intimately connected to the power and beauty of the countryside and terroir. It’s truly a mini Tuscany tucked between the wine-producing areas of Sauternes, Loupiac, and Entre-Deux-Mers! The River Garonne winds between the lush hills, the light is gentle, one or two cypress dot the sky and the Landes Forest closes the horizon.
The most beautiful countryside in the world to my eyes, thrilling, fraternal, the only one to know what I know…
– François Mauriac –
My characters are kneaded from Malagar’s clay.
François Mauriac
Malagar is finally ours! In 1927, the author inherited the wine estate of his childhood that had been in the family since 1843.
He used it as his summer home and stayed there regularly throughout his life with his wife, children and friends.
He was fascinated by vine husbandry and the countryside inspired him.
In his office by the vathouse, he wrote when winegrowing allowed him, in an inspiring place, where books ripen in three weeks: Vipers’ Tangle, Flesh and Blood, Destinies, Thérèse Desqueyroux…
