When a 1976 Article About Château de La Chaize Resurfaces, 
50 Years Later… When a 1976 Article About Château de La Chaize Resurfaces,
50 Years Later…

Sometimes the past comes back to us in the most remarkable way. We recently came across a copy of the magazine Expansion Beaujolaise (No. 19 – 3rd quarter 1976), a quarterly publication by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Villefranche-sur-Saône, covering regional economic and tourism news.

What a surprise to find a four-page article entirely devoted to Château de La Chaize! A precious testimony that, 50 years ago, already traced the history of our estate and highlighted its prestige.

A Tricentennial Estate… Already in 1976

The article noted that the estate had already celebrated three centuries of history – which will bring us close to 350 years in 2026. It explained that the Château, built in the 17th century, had become in the 18th century one of the most beautiful and extensive wine estates in Beaujolais.

The article emphasizes the pivotal role of the Marquis and Marquise de Roussy de Sales, owners of the estate in the 1970s, who worked to give new momentum to the vineyard and expand the Château’s international reputation.

Modernization and International Vision

The magazine highlights ambitious modernization efforts:

- At the winery, replacement of outdated presses and introduction of large wooden vats instead of the traditional 215 L “Beaujolais barrels.”

- In 1972, steps were taken to classify the Château, its gardens, and the winery as Historic Monuments.

- In 1974, an export company was created, enabling Château de La Chaize wines to shine internationally.

A quote from the Marquis reflects his vision, inspired by his international education (including Harvard):
“Land (for some) + Work (by all) = Progress (for all).”

The International Success of Château de La Chaize Wines

The 1976 article also underlines the remarkable success of the estate’s wines:

- “Justifying a cascade of gold medals and glowing reviews from the specialized press, in 7 years, Château de La Chaize wines became, among other foreign countries, the most widely distributed French estate wines in the USA.”

- Annual sales of 450,000 to 550,000 bottles, with 70% exported to around twenty countries (USA, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan…).

The article also reminds us of a pride that endures today: the longest wine cellar in Beaujolais.

A Living Heritage

Reading these pages today allows us to appreciate how Château de La Chaize has always combined heritage and modernity, roots and openness to the world.

Half a century after this article was published, the Gruy family continues this legacy, promoting a unique heritage and exceptional wines, born of centuries of history, innovation, and excellence.

We invite you to explore the original article in the PDF below.