History of the Château des Rontets
A Heritage Passed Down from Generation to Generation
Château des Rontets has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. According to the parish records of Abbé Glaneur de Fuissé, the estate was founded by Claude Nonain, the parish priest of Fuissé, who died in 1819. During the French Revolution, in 1793, the property was seized for the benefit of the nation, but unlike many other lands, it was never sold. At the time of its creation, Claude Nonain, in a spirit of solidarity, employed the poorest inhabitants of his parish to clear the land. This benevolent gesture not only transformed the land into a flourishing vineyard but also supported the struggling villagers by providing them with work and sustenance.
After Nonain's death, the estate passed through several hands. In 1844, it belonged to Monsieur Terrier, former director of an institution in Mâcon, through his marriage to one of Nonain's grandnieces. A few years later, in 1848, the property was sold to Monsieur Liaut, a wine merchant in Lyon, who modernized the facilities by replacing the former priest's small houses with a more imposing and elegant residence, much like the one that still stands today. Finally, after changing hands several times, the estate came into the possession of the Varambon family when François Varambon, a lawyer in Lyon, acquired it.
Since then, the Rontets estate has remained in the same family. In 1995, Claire Montrasi, great-granddaughter of François Varambon, and her husband Fabio Montrasi took over the estate with a clear vision: to preserve the family heritage while adopting modern and environmentally friendly winemaking methods. They committed to cultivating the vines according to the principles of organic farming, obtaining certification for their meticulous and nature-conscious work.
Today, Château des Rontets owns approximately 7 hectares of vines spread across several appellations. The family produces various cuvées of Pouilly-Fuissé as well as a cuvée of Saint-Amour, wines that capture the essence of the Burgundy terroir, while reflecting the heritage of several generations of wine enthusiasts.
