The winery is located in the municipality of Macau in the
Médoc (Bordeaux). The name comes from the nobleman Chevalier Pons de Cantemerle, who acquired a large estate in 1241. After several changes of ownership, it was bought by Baron Jehan de Villeneuve in 1579 and remained in this family for over three centuries. In 1892 it became the property of the Dubos family, who sold it in 1981 to the large insurance company S.M.A.B.T.P. Now large sums of money were invested to bring the cellar technology up to date. In the 1855
Bordeaux classification, the estate was awarded fifth place (Cinquième Cru Classé). However, the list published in April did not yet include it. In the original list, however, it is listed at the very end in a clearly recognisably different and smaller manuscript. Why is that? There have been many legends and rumours, including accusations of bribery and subsequent manipulation of the list, but the truth is quite simple. The Cantemerle wine was then largely exported to Holland. That is why it did not appear in the official French price lists, which were an important basis for the classification, and was therefore not taken into account
One can also express it simply by saying that Château Cantemerle was simply forgotten. It was only after a fierce protest by the owners and several months of dispute that it was subsequently inserted in the last place after
Château Croizet-Bages after the World Exhibition in December 1855. Allegedly, however, the Château Cantemerle should have been rated even better, namely in fourth or even third place. But they were not willing to do that, because that would have upset the whole order. Today, the total estate comprises 180 hectares, 87 of which are planted with vines on the banks of the
Gironde. These are Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (40%), Petit Verdot (5%) and Cabernet Franc (5%). This extremely long-lasting red wine is aged for 12 to 14 months in 30% new barriques. Second wines are "Les Allés de Cantemerle" and the "Baron Villeneuve de Cantemerle", named after the founder.