Château Nadal Hainaut is an organic wine estate in France’s Roussillon region, producing wines from its own vineyards. The estate’s winemaker, Pauline Nadal, is the sixth generation of her family to work there.
Pauline trained in fine arts in London and is also a ceramicist. She sees winemaking as a hands-on creative practice, describing it as a form of art that helps keep her artistic mind at peace. She has also redesigned the estate’s labels—a change that initially proved challenging, but which she now oversees.
The family’s connection to the estate dates back to 1826, when the Hainault family acquired it. By 1900, two daughters were running the property. One married into the Nadal family, establishing the name carried by the estate today. Pauline says her parents devoted their working lives to rebuilding the property and continue to invest in it.
Once a monastery with mixed farming, the estate still has a chapel. Today, hospitality is central to its business: weddings held from March through November make up about half of its activity and also help bring customers to its wines.
The winery produces estate-grown wines from 27 hectares of organically farmed vines, with 10 grape varieties. Its vineyards include a plot of Carignan more than a century old.
Wines tasted
- Héméré Blanc de Noirs 2024, Côtes Catalanes — A bright, taut Grenache Noir white with focused pear and citrus, a hint of cherry and a stony finish. 89/100
- 3 Sources Macabeu 2024, Côtes Catalanes — Crisp and pure, with fresh pear-drop and citrus character. 90/100
- 3 Sources Rosé de Syrah 2024, Côtes Catalanes — Pale, fresh and focused, with pear, peach, cherry and citrus. 91/100
- Aurore Aux Doigts de Rosé Grenache Gris 2024, Côtes Catalanes — Lively and lightly spicy, with mandarin, orange peel, cherry and pear. 91/100
- Marie Chardonnay 2024, Côtes Catalanes — Vivid pear and banana fruit with subtle spice; the oak stays in the background. 89/100
- Alexandrie Muscat Sec 2023, Côtes Catalanes — Floral and aromatic, with table grapes, honey and fine spice, balanced by freshness. 91/100
- Grenache 2023, Côtes Catalanes — A light-coloured, supple and easy-drinking red with strawberry, cherry and white pepper. 91/100
- 3 Sources Syrah Sans Sulfites Ajoutés 2024, Côtes Catalanes — Rounded and supple, with textured cherry, strawberry and plum. 92/100
- 1900 Centenaire Carignan 2023, Côtes Catalanes — Unoaked and fresh, with black cherry, raspberry, herbs and a savoury, stony edge. 91/100
- Odyssée 2019, Côtes du Roussillon — Mostly Grenache Noir with Syrah, offering cherry, berries, strawberry richness, spice and wild herbs. 91/100
- Terre de Quarante 2020, Côtes du Roussillon — Mostly Syrah with Grenache Noir, showing bright cherry and plum, spicy oak and a savoury finish. 89/100
- Hydre de Lac Sans Sulfites Ajoutés 2019, Côtes du Roussillon — A complex, savoury blend of Syrah and Grenache, with herbs, pepper, tar and firm structure. 90/100
- Signum 2020, Côtes du Roussillon — A concentrated yet fresh Syrah with black cherry, pepper, thyme and iodine notes. 94/100