Château d'Issan, 12th century wine estate in Margaux-Cantenac, France

Château d'Issan is a castle and winery at Cantenac in the Margaux appellation, its present building raised in the 17th century on the razed platform of a medieval fortified castle and ringed by water-filled moats. The vineyard covers 41 hectares in separate lots abutting Château Palmer and Château Margaux, planted 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, and yields 6,000 cases of grand vin a year.

The legend that d'Issan wine was served at the 1152 wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry Plantagenet is not documented. In the 19th century the wine reached the court of Emperor Franz Joseph in Vienna, source of the motto Regium mensis aris que deorum. The d'Essenault family razed the medieval castle in the 17th century and built the present château on the levelled platform, surrounded by moats; the Blanchy family bought it in 1851 and the Roy family in 1865.

The château's motto, Regium mensis aris que deorum ("For the tables of Kings and the altars of Gods"), recalls that its wine was served at the court of Emperor Franz Joseph in Vienna in the 19th century. The estate also makes a second wine, Blason d'Issan, and vinifies Château de Candale and Moulin d'Issan.

The château stands in Cantenac, within the Margaux appellation, near Château Palmer and Château Margaux. Its façades, roofs and two interior fireplaces have been listed as monuments historiques since 16 June 1970. Visits to the estate are arranged in advance; the property is a working winery, so access follows its own booking arrangements.

The château's motto, Regium mensis aris que deorum ("For the table of Kings and the altar of the Gods"), recalls that in the 19th century its wine was served at the court of Emperor Franz Joseph in Vienna. The medieval fortress that once stood here was razed by the d'Essenault family in the 17th century, and the present building was raised on the levelled platform, still ringed by moats. The façades, roofs and two interior fireplaces have been listed as monuments historiques since 16 June 1970.