Château Sérilhan: Vineyards
As noted in my account of the history of this property, Château Sérilhan was wound up in 2021, the business having accrued significant debts which it had no hope of paying. The details presented here, on the vineyards and winemaking, are thus preserved purely for historical purposes, as this estate is no longer producing wine.
When Didier Marcelis took control of the estate there were just 9.5 hectares of vines; subsequently this grew to a peak of 25 hectares, although Didier sold off several parcels over the years, and by the time the business was wound up it was much closer to 13 hectares. Much of this significant expansion was achieved early on with the purchase of land from the local co-operative. They were selling off the vineyards because of the retirement of several of their more aged members; rising land prices made for a lucrative sale, but the prices were not so extortionate as to be unaffordable (they are much higher today). A number of châteaux took advantage of this fire-sale, and increased their holdings considerably. Didier was one of the lucky beneficiaries, and from relatively small beginnings the estate grew to an admirable size. The subsequent sell off suggests Didier may have overstretched, or perhaps can be taken as an indication that the business was struggling to make ends meet.
Didier not only extended the vineyard, he also developed it and changed much of the working practices. Early on he adjusted the trellising height of the vines, low training being a common problem in older vineyards. The dependence on chemicals was reduced, as Didier restricted herbicide applications, from 2004 choosing to work the soil in preference.
