History
Vines have been grown at Château La Gaffelière since the Gallo-Roman period, as proved by the numerous mosaics discovered by Count Léo de Malet Roquefort in 1969.
Perhaps it is just a coincidence, but the poet Ausone is known to have had a vineyard in this area at about the same time the villa was built, in the 4th century AD. It is thus very likely that the mosaics decorated the rooms of his villa. The quality of these mosaics show that the owner was clearly prosperous. The location is still called Le Palat, meaning “the Palace”.
The unbroken presence of the de Malet Roquefort family at La Gaffelière for over three centuries makes them the oldest winegrowing family in Saint-Emilion. This gives the estate a special aura and legitimacy.