A chateau and vat-house, on a former winemaking estate,
in a dominant position with 180° views, in the Beaujolais sector
in a dominant position with 180° views, in the Beaujolais sector
Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin,
RHONE
rhones-alps
69640
FR
Location
This chateau overlooks a small valley and dominates the slopes and plains stretching away to the Alps, among the Beaujolais sector’s vineyards and villages, in the north of the Rhône area. From Belleville to Villefranche-sur-Saône, the landscape is dotted with vines and agricultural land, on which stand many winemaking properties, including this one. The municipality, which boasts amenities necessary for everyday life nearby, is on the way to the Beaujolais Vert sector and is not far from the valley’s economic hubs. The residence is set apart but not isolated and can be found on the edges of a hamlet. It takes 1 hour to reach Lyon and its international airport, while the Mâcon Loché station, with high-speed TGV trains to Paris, is 40 minutes away.
Description
Just off a country road, an ironwork gate opens onto the tree-lined bridleway leading to the foot of the chateau that overlooks the valley and the surrounding landscape. A wide, flat terrace looking out onto the plains surrounds the buildings and the exposed stonework of its plinth course. A second gate located between the chateau and the vat-house leads, via the inner courtyard, to the estate’s former farm, which is today self-contained. On both sides, visitors’ gazes are drawn upwards towards the glazed-tile roof, which reflect the sunshine and create a striking visual contrast with the sober symmetrical facades. The round corner tower forms a link between the two spaces. Through the courtyard, the vat-house is now used for storage, having previously been used for wine production. The rectangular building is separated from the former tenant farm by an adjoining wall.
The chateau
This square, three-storey edifice built between 1867 and 1869 boasts approximately 100 m² of living space on each level, which can be reached via a tower, in which a stone spiral staircase leads to the first floor before a wooden one carries on up to the attic.
The ground floor
The entrance hall opens into the kitchen, which, through three openings in a load-bearing wall, leads to the dining room in the centre, the lounge to the left and the living room to the right, from where French windows open onto the patio. These rooms require complete renovation, following infestation of the woodwork. This has been rectified by a certified company and protected against by long-lasting treatment, though the floors and walls have been left in an untreated state. A separate lavatory and the tower containing the spiral staircase complete this level.
The first floor
At the top of the stone staircase, it includes, to the left, a bedroom, a lavatory and two shower rooms, with red terracotta tiled floors. To the right, one after another, there are three bedrooms with wood strip flooring, each fitted with a fireplace.
The second floor
Beneath the rafters, there are no partitions on this level and its ceiling height enables a full conversion of the space. Light streams adequately in through windows and dormers. The flooring is made up of bright coloured terracotta tiles.
The basement
After a first cellar that can be reached via the tower, three vaulted cellars are situated one after another and can also be reached via a double-leaf door that leads into the courtyard, towards the vat-house.
The vat-house
This rectangular building has two storeys, each with its own entrance, separated by a concrete floor supported by steel beams. On the same level as the inner courtyard, the space that housed the vats and wine-making equipment leads to a semi-underground cellar. The floor is a combination of rammed earth and concrete channels previously used for run-off of the wine effluents.
On the lower level, above the cellar, there is an around 40-m² room. On the upper level, an around 180-m², open, rectangular room is used for storage. Next to the vat-house, a second adjoining building, which was the former tenant farm, completes the property.
The grounds
The property’s land, of which there is a little more than 3 hectares, includes a lawned area, the bridleway leading to the chateau and a plot of sloping farmland.
Our opinion
This former wine-making property, including a chateau and a vat-house, stands among the Beaujolais vineyards, surrounded by valleys and vines as far as the eye can see. The sober architecture of the main building and the simple layout of the rooms awaiting renovation, make this an unpretentious heritage site steeped in rural nobility. In short, it is a select address and an exquisite haven of tranquillity, ideal for relaxing as well as a variety of activities, which is awaiting a new lease of life..
585 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 948290
| Land registry surface area | 3 ha 53 a |
| Main building floor area | 300 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 5 |
| Outbuildings floor area | 540 m² |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
