Graf von Neipperg County (Comtes von Neipperg) was founded in the 12th century in Germany, in the northern valley of Württemberg. Eventually, it covered about thirty villages and towns, including Schwäigern, where the family citadel still stands today.
As descendants of the nobility of the Holy Roman Empire, the Neipperg family has provided officers and diplomats to the Austrian imperial family since the 16th century.
The vineyard, present in the German estate since the 13th century, continues to be at the center of the family's everyday life. Preserving nearly 800 years of winemaking traditions, Stephan von Neipperg, with passion and talent, currently manages the family's estates in Bordeaux, acquired in 1971. Under his team's leadership, the wines of Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere quickly rose to the highest quality.
Stephan von Neipperg and his wife Sigweis, who have been living in Saint-Emilion since 1983, have invested a lot in the life of various wineries, perpetuating this ancient family tradition. The next generation will also continue their work, with respect for the terroir.
Located at the foot of a hill to the south of the medieval village of Saint-Emilion, the terroir of Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere consists of clay-limestone and clay-sandy soils, highly filtering and particularly receptive to warmth. Due to the nature of the soils, the grape varieties have a atypical structure, characterized by the perfect balance between Merlot and Cabernet. On this terroir, where ripening occurs very early, the Cabernet grapes thrive wonderfully, bringing power and aromatic complexity to the richness of Merlot, which is the foundation of the natural elegance and refinement of the wines of Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere.
The reconstructed winery offers the possibility of vinifying perfectly homogeneous batches. The different stages of winemaking take place slowly, without excessive temperature increase, thus revealing the best qualities of the harvest. Aging on fine lees brings out all the best qualities of the wine, offering each batch the benefits of an individual approach. Processing and interventions are kept to a minimum, taking into account the characteristics of each harvest