Heritage

THE ROSKAM-BRUNOT FAMILY TODAY

The 4th generation of the Roskam-Brunot family carry on this beautiful passion for making fine wines of St Emilion. 

The Roskam-Brunot family expresses the best of its “savoir-faire” in each of its bottles, and offers wines celebrating the identity of their terroirs.

« Each vintage is a new melody with multiple variations » Nicole Roskam-Brunot 

When you visit Saint Emilion, the Roskam-Brunot family will be happy to welcome you!

 

A FAMILY STORY & PASSION

The Origin
 
The creation of the estate dates back to the end of the eighteenth century with the purchase of the first land and vines, between the Rivallon and the road to Castillon, by Mr. Jean Cantenat – winemaker and cooper. In 1832, the “Cantenat” estate was acquired by Pierre-Emmanuel Despujol with 3ha53a of vineyard and land. The name of the location then appears in the land registry under the name of “Cantenac”. It was Oscar and Jeanne-Marthe Despujol who built the emblematic building of the estate at the end of the nineteenth century. The Despujol family was established in the Bordeaux wine trade and vineyards, including the Tambourlan-Canon estate in Génissac. In 1933, Mr. Ernest and Mrs. Rose-Augustine Marache (born WEISS) acquired the Cantenac estate, but they resold the property in 1937 to refocus on their activity in the capital. Mr. Marache, originally from the Nièvre, had a flourishing business in seeds, fruits and vegetables in Paris. 
 
The Roskam-Brunot family: owners of Château Cantenac since 1937
 
It was Albert Brunot who acquired the Domaine de Cantenac in 1937, with a vineyard of 7ha60a, following in his father’s footsteps. Jean-Baptiste Brunot, originally from Corrèze, is the pioneer of the family and was invested in the wine trade, before becoming the owner of Château l’Hermitage de Mazerat in St-Emilion in 1922. Albert Brunot was responsible for the production and distribution of both estates. In 1970, he embarked on the acquisition of Château Tour de Grenet in 1970 (Lussac), whose tower, mill and vineyard are anchored on a vast limestone plateau. Then, his children, Jean Baptiste Brunot and Nicole Roskam-Brunot continued their family’s passion for wine.
 
Since 1997, Nicole Roskam-Brunot, dynamic, driven and a visionary, has dedicated herself to elevate Château Cantenac and Château Moulin de Grenet in all aspects – through the creation of new wines, the expansion of the vineyard, the pursuit of quality with advice, the development of international distribution and wine tourism, in particular. Nicole Roskam-Brunot became a Jurat (official member of the brotherhood of wine) of Saint-Emilion in 2001, a mark of her investment in her appellation and her territory. Shortly afterwards, her sons and daughters-in-law joined her at the estate. 
 
In 2020, Nicole Roskam-Brunot handed over the reins of Château Cantenac & Château Moulin de Grenet to the 4th generation to continue writing this beautiful family story !

KEY DATES

2024 : Birth of the Château Cantenac Blanc Sélection – white 

2023 : Birth of the  “Famille Roskam Magnolia” – rosé 

1832-2022 : 190th anniversary of the winery !

1922-2022 : 100 years of the Brunot-Roskam Family in Saint-Emilion !

2020 : Transmission à la 4ème Génération

2017 : 80th vintage of the family at Ch. Cantenac

2016 : 4 new hectares

2014 : Adrienne Jennifer Roskam rejoint l’équipe

2010 : 2 new hectares

2007 : Johan Roskam joins the family

2002 : Frans Roskam joins the family

2002 : Birth of the « Climat » cuvée

2000 : Birth of the « Antes » cuvée (produced in 2000 & 2001)

2000 : Birth of the « Sélection Madame » cuvée

1997 : Nicole Brunot-Roskam, owner and manager Ch. Cantenac and Ch. Moulin de Grenet

1970 : purchase of Château Tour de Grenet, Lussac St Emilion

1937 : purchase of Château Cantenac, St Emilion

1922-1980 : Château L’Hermitage de Mazerat, St Emilion

1832 : Birth of Château Cantenac