- From the end of the 12th century to 1307, the Order of the Knights Templiers (a religious and military order from the Christian chivalry of the Middle Ages) formed commanderies throughout Europe, including one in Grézan. These commanderies were landholdings allowing, in particular, to raise funds intended to finance the Crusades in the Holy Land.
- On Friday, October 13, 1307, by order of King Philip the Bel, the Templiers were arrested, the order was dissolved in 1312, Grézan became a commandery of the Order of Hospitaliers.
- In 1824, the Mirepoix family began to rebuild the chateaux as we know it today. A “folly” inspired by a medieval castle, and erected by Louis Garros, a Bordeaux architect. It was directly inspired by Eugène Viollet-Le-Duc, a famous architect of the nineteenth century and restorer of the City of Carcassonne.
- In 1853, with the arrival of the railroad, the wine trade allowed everything to be turned into gold. The owners bought land and built chateaus called “Palaces of Aramonie”, or more singularly, the “pinardier chateaus” in different styles: neo-Gothic, neo-renaissance or second empire. At that time all you needed was “a harvest to build a chateau”.
Château Grézan, nicknamed “Little Carcassonne” is one of the jewels of the Biterrois wine chateaux. As it is the only one of neo-medieval style, the originality of its architecture allowed it to be registered, in 1993, in the inventory of the French historical monuments.
The family’s rich history began five generations ago, particularly in 1877 with just a small parcel of land in Carignan between Autignac and Laurens. The vineyard was first tilled with just a donkey and a horse; the harvests were vinified at the back of the family home by Jules-Anatole Cros and his wife Anna, marking the humble beginnings of the vineyard.
The Château Grézan has morphed into a tourist site recognized for its vineyard, its winery as well as for its sales and wine-tasting cellar.
They welcome their guests all year round for the guests to experience a titillating taste of their wines. One is also allowed to visit the cellars and vineyard. Their friendly team is always present to welcome you with open arms and share their love of the vineyard and wine.
Just recently they have joined the Japan Awards 2019 where the best of the best wines were judged and tasted by prestigious wine connoisseurs who are world-renowned. Chateau Grezan won several gold wards which prove that their endless effort and innovations paid off.
For more information about their wines or to schedule a site visit – Click here
