All about the Castle of Corneilla
The castle of Corneilla, the history of a monument
Located in the Roussillon in the commune of Corneilla-del-Vercol, the Castle of Corneilla is a cultural and historical place of the Catalan heritage. For 5 centuries already, it has been the perfect reflection of the typical architecture of the region, a mixture between Spanish and French culture. Built by the Knights Templar, it is marked by a strong history.
The Castle of Corneilla is characterized by its massive side, composed of several imposing towers overlooking the plain. It was originally a stronghold enthroned on the hill, allowing to have a vision on the surroundings. The town of Corneilla-del-Vercol quickly became a protected place against the invader. Its red bricks and round pebbles are reminiscent of the materials used for the village church. Representative of the Pays d'oc, they bring even more color to this Mediterranean region. This medieval castle has seen the entire history of a family shaped over the centuries and accomplish great things.
The castle of Corneilla, the history of a family
It is at the Château de Corneilla that, since 1485, 27 generations of winegrowers have followed one another. The 95 hectares of vines are spread over six appellations and allow the elaboration of wines with varied flavors within the cellars of the castle. All the parcels of the vineyard Jonquères d'Oriola vineyard are cultivated according to a reasoned agriculture labelled HVE 3.
Beyond the numerous wines produced, the Jonquères D'Oriola family has seen its history linked to horse riding. The castle of Corneilla has sheltered many champions:
- Joseph Jonquères d'Oriola, world champion in the 1920s
- Christophe Jonquères d'Oriola, several times French champion and European champion
- Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola, several times gold medalist at the Olympic Games and at the World Jumping Championships.
The family Jonquères d'Oriola also produces olive oil. In 2000, the entire orchard was replanted. At present, it is composed of 6,000 trees near the Castle of Corneilla.
Come and visit us directly if you want to know more about the history of the Château de Corneilla.