Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023: A Taste of Château Grand’Grange

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 12/14/2025

Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023: A Taste of Château Grand’Grange

Tasting Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023 offers a clear window into the philosophy of Château Grand’Grange. The grapes come from south and south-east facing vineyards at around 300 meters on granitic sandy soils, ideal for 100% Gamay. All harvesting is done by hand, preserving freshness and precision. Fermentation lasts about two weeks, using a mix of 50% destemmed fruit and 50% whole clusters, with gentle punch-downs and pump-overs guided by tasting. Aging is seven months, mostly in stainless steel for vibrant fruit, with a touch of barrel for texture and subtle spice.

In the glass, La Cascade 2023 is fresh, juicy, and energetic, with aromas of morello cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and plum, plus hints of chocolate orange and cinnamon. Medium-bodied with a soft, supple palate, structural tannins, bright red fruit, and natural acidity, it is an accessible, versatile Gamay that can be enjoyed now but also develops further.

A Château Shaped by Time

The lands of Château Grand’Grange have a rich history. In the 18th century, they were ruled by the Baron de Vaux, executed during the French Revolution. In 1810, André Paul Sain, Baron de Vauxonne, acquired the estate, which passed to his son in 1837. The Château and outbuildings were built in 1842 from local granite. Around 1914, the Chamussy family bought the property, pioneering red Beaujolais-Villages production in Le Perréon, before eventually selling due to a lack of heirs willing to continue in viticulture.

A new chapter began in 2009 when Per Hakon Schmidt and Marianne Philip acquired the estate with the aim of restoring the vineyards and producing high-quality wines. In 2010, they purchased the Fleurie vineyard, including Clos la Madone, expanding into Beaujolais cru wines. Since 2019, Andrea Pugliese has managed the vineyards and cellar, introducing improvements such as planting Chardonnay for Crémant de Bourgogne and increasing Gamay plantings in 2024. Today, Château Grand’Grange combines history with modern viticulture, producing wines that are precise, expressive, and rooted in their terroir.

Vineyards and Cellar

The vineyards are managed with meticulous attention to terroir and grape quality. Under Andrea Pugliese, yields are carefully reduced to concentrate flavors, and soil work—including weeding, plowing, subsoiling, grassing, and organic amendments—is carried out to support vine health and sustainability. From bud break to harvest, every task such as pruning, tying, de-budding, trellising, fertilization, and selective phytosanitary care is performed with care. Harvesting is entirely by hand, with careful selection and gentle transport, including smaller crates for the Fleurie vineyard, preserving the integrity of the fruit.

Andrea Pugliese, winemaker

In the cellar, winemaking follows the same philosophy of simplicity and precision. Fermentation is conducted at low temperatures, and stems are managed according to each vintage to enhance structure, concentration, and complexity. Aging is carried out in a mix of tanks and barrels, allowing thoughtful blending and expression of each vintage. Sulfiting is minimized or avoided entirely, preserving the purity and authenticity of the wines and reflecting both the meticulous vineyard work and the natural expression of Château Grand’Grange’s terroir.