Château La Caminade is a historic family vineyard of the Cahors AOC, property of the Ressès family since 1895 — that is 130 years and 4 generations. Located at Parnac, on the 2nd terrace of the Lot Valley, the estate covers 27 hectares and is today led by the Dominique and Richard Ressès brothers. Geographic particularity: Parnac is also the headquarters of the Vinovalie cooperative (formerly Côtes d'Olt) — La Caminade coexists as an exemplary private estate next to the great cooperative operator.
For general context, see our complete Cahors AOC guide and our article on the Côtes d'Olt cooperative.
Terroir and vineyard
27 hectares on the 2nd terrace of the Lot Valley, at Parnac. Varied soils: gravelly sands + clay-limestone. Malbec dominates at ~85%, sometimes complemented by a small Tannat proportion for tannic complexity ("sometimes a small amount of Tannat is blended for complexity" according to Wine Traditions).
Manual harvest on selection cuvées, careful classic vinification, concrete vat + barrel ageing depending on cuvée. The whole embodies a rigorous classic Cadurcian style, without seeking extreme modernity.
Ressès family — 4 generations at Parnac
- 1895: Antonin Ressès inherits the Château la Caminade estate
- Next generation: Marcel Ressès (current grandfather)
- 1973: when the Cahors AOC was granted, Marcel and his son Léonce began selling all production in bottles (instead of bulk or cooperative) — a strong gesture marking the shift to direct sales and professionalisation
- Today: 4th generation Dominique and Richard Ressès
This family continuity, doubled by the choice of bottle sales from 1973, places La Caminade among the oldest private estates of the modern post-1971 AOC.
Flagship cuvées
Tradition
Entry-level cuvée — Malbec-dominant + Tannat depending on vintage. Classic accessible profile, vat ageing, drink within 5–8 years.
Pairing: charcuterie, white meats, regional South-West dishes.
Mission La Caminade
Signature cuvée for export markets, particularly present in the USA via Wine Traditions and other importers. Malbec-dominant, careful ageing, fruit/structure balance.
Pairing: confit, lamb, feathered game. Cellaring 8–12 years. See confit + Cahors pairing.
Esprit
Estate prestige cuvée. Plot selection, long barrel ageing, complex structure, long-cellaring wine (12–18 years).
Pairing: signature dishes, mature game, mature cheeses. See mature cheeses + Cahors pairing.
Commandery
Cuvée distributed mainly in export (USA via Regal Wine Imports). Classic Cadurcian profile, balance between tradition and international accessibility.
To note for the wine lover
- Strategic position at Parnac: the estate is neighbour of the Vinovalie cooperative (formerly Côtes d'Olt). Visiting La Caminade and Vinovalie in one day lets you understand the complementarity between private estates and the cooperative operator on the same terroir. See our article on the Côtes d'Olt cooperative.
- Exemplary classic style: La Caminade embodies good Cadurcian tradition without extreme modernism or eccentricity. For wine lovers seeking a well-made structured classic Cahors, it is a safe reference. Compare with Château Lamartine, Château Eugénie, Château Pineraie — all historic families in the same school.
- Strong USA export presence: Wine Traditions, Regal Wine Imports actively distribute Mission and Commandery cuvées in the United States. Recommended cuvée for French expats and wine lovers in the USA.
- Not organic: rigorous integrated viticulture but not certified. For organic profiles, see Mas del Périé, Cosse-Maisonneuve, Combel-la-Serre, Le Clos d'un Jour, Clos Troteligotte.
Public sources consulted
- Château La Caminade — official site (chateaulacaminade.fr) — consulted 2026-05-18
- Wine Traditions — Château La Caminade — consulted 2026-05-18
- Regal Wine Imports — Château La Caminade — consulted 2026-05-18
- Tourisme Lot — Château La Caminade Parnac — consulted 2026-05-18
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