Château Balestard La Tonnelle Year naming ceremony

Every year, VATEL Bordeaux honours its newly graduated Bachelors and Masters students by organising a ceremony sponsored by, and held at a prestigious Bordeaux château.

Vatel chose Saint Emilion and Château Balestard La Tonnelle this year as the venue for a ceremony honouring master’s students. The family-owned wine estate blending a grand cru classé for over 4 centuries (Château Balestard La Tonnelle vintages), was represented by the 12th and 13th generation of the Capdemourlin family.

The evening event took place in an atmosphere of conviviality among lovers of fine wines. Jacques, Françoise, Thierry Capdemourlin, and his wife extended a very warm welcome, and the students will never forget the fine evening they spent at Balestard La Tonnelle. They learned about the history of this family related to the culture of the wine and were impressed by the enthusiasm of the present generation.

They also enjoyed a memorable tasting of the family’s 2010 and 2011 vintages from their 3 wine properties: Château Balestard La Tonnelle indeed, Château Cap de Mourlin and Château Petit Faurie de Soutard!

And what a luxury to be tutored by Jacques Capdemourlin himself on a terrace overlooking the vineyards and what a treat to hear Thierry recite the poem by François Villon reproduced on Balestard la Tonnelle’s label!

M. Glorieux, Dean of Vatel Bordeaux, gave a bottle of 2011 Balestard to every student during a personalised speech-cum-quiz that brought their years at Vatel to an end.

Family spirit was the theme for this wonderful evening. The light buffet prepared by two Vatelians, Franck Brunel (Restaurant L’Epicure in Bordeaux) and Mathieu Capdeville (Maison Servan fancy food shop in Bordeaux) was much appreciated by Thierry Capdemourlin and all the guests.

A huge thank you to the Capdemourlin family for their warm welcome!

You can find out more about Château Balestard la Tonnelle by visiting their website www.vignoblescapdemourlin.com