Château Pindefleurs

The rebirth of a great Saint-Emilion wine

Château Pindefleurs is a vineyard in Saint-Emilion that was created in 1625 by Antoine De Sèze, Mayor of Saint-Emilion. His son, Paul Romain De Sèze made this winery at that the time consisting of fifteen hectares in a terroir known for its qualities.

The Chateau Pindefleurs remained in the De Sèze family until 1907. Date on which it was acquired by Adolphe Charoulet , deputy of the French National Assembly. It is thanks to him and his investment in the property that Pindefleurs won his first wine award.

In 2006 the Lauret -Mestreguilhem family, owner of Château Pipeau (Saint-Emilion Grand Cru) and Château Joinin (AOC Bordeaux) bought the property Pindefleurs . At the time the area was only 5 hectares and, both in terms of the vine production tools that the building in an abandoned and dilapidated state. The Lauret -Mestreguilhem Family therefore proposed to Audrey Lauret and his brother to engage in a process of restructuring / restoration of the property and its wines.

To achieve these objectives a lot of work clearing, soil survey, reconstitution of the vineyard, restoration / construction of buildings and investment in production equipment is being done. The challenge under the tasting is about to be raised.

Where does the name of Château Pindefleurs comes from?

The property´s name is a contraction of cadastral place where the property is located, namely: Pin Flower. Perhaps an allusion to Pine previously present on the field.

Wine meeting with Audrey Lauret, daughter of the owners, winemaker and vineyard manager of Château Pindefleurs

How so did you come to work in the wine world?

” I fell into the world of wine from a young age thanks to my family all of whose members are in the world of wine, near and far.

After college I went to a wine school in Bac STL for Libourne -Montagne and then followed by a BTS in wine oenology at the Institute of Blanquefort . Along with my studies and also since my childhood I helped my uncle, especially at harvest time, to the property. After my studies I went to work in properties in South Africa and Australia to gain experience and to open up to what is happening outside Bordeaux.” (Audrey Lauret)

How do you ‘see’ your job as a winemaker?

“As a profession and passion that allows us to touch everything (vine, wine, performance, tasting, travel, trade …). In this profession is entirely dependent on the goodwill of ‘ God ‘ of nature. “(Audrey Lauret)

If you had to describe your job in three words what would you say?

“Sharing, meeting, Discoveries ” (Audrey Lauret)

What are you looking for every year when you create the wines of Château Pindefleurs?

” We try to do some pretty structured wines, but not an over- concentrated extract of it. I want to make wine / create elegant wines, balanced and without over- ripeness.

Our soils consist predominantly of sand which allows us to harvest relatively early in the year” (Audrey Lauret)

On a quick note I would say that there is a net increase in quality, finesse and complexity with each vintage since 2006. This is probably the result of a renovation work of the vineyard (land exchanges, replanting, redial … etc). A vineyard to follow!

Do you have any plans for the property?

Audrey has several side projects. In a medium-term future she would like to develop a wine tourism, finish restoring the castle and offer a meeting room. Regarding the ‘ wine projects it would like to be able to offer shorter term a second label owned.

Side anecdote: