Château Vieux Mougnac
A Bordeaux Supérieur rewarded for its usability by a Best Of Wine Tourism 2013
Telling the story of the Château Vieux Mougnac is narrating the story of a family passion that lasts for five generations.
It was in 1870 that the field entered in the Milhard family´s history. Since then, they have always passed on from generation to generation until today. For a long time the Château Vieux Mougnac only produced wine for sale in a bulk or cooperative fashion. It is only after the marriage of the grandparents Sylvie Milhard that the Château Vieux Mougnac began bottling on behalf of the property. The grandfather married an Italian immigrant with a strong character (Maria) and that marriage was not well accepted by Maria´s family and that encouraged her young husband to take an oenologist to produce wine under its own label. This is to no longer be dependent on the in-laws. Thus the first bottles of the property were created.
The beginning of the marketing of Château Vieux Mougnac was made in the markets and in particular one that was the largest and one of the most famous markets of the time, the market of Saint Astier (Dordogne). Associated with the sale to tourists crossing the property of the Milhard family, it came to sell about 80,000 bottles per year.
What makes this story remarkable is that even today, some families from that time come to gather to the Château Vieux Mougnac. So these are 4th generation customers … Few wineries can boast such loyalty !
Today and this since 1991 Sylvie Milhard manages the property with her husband Michel Bessard and two children Jeremie and Laetitia property.
Where does the name “Vieux Mougnac” comes from?
Above all you must know that “Mougnac” means “place said” in Old French / local dialect but also that each generation, each member of the family has its label.
The label of Château Vieux Mougnac comes from the grandfather who in his time already called his wine “Mougnac“. Sylvie Milhard ‘s mother attached the word “Vieux” before.
Every generation has an impact on the label children also created their “M de Mougnac” label. Cuvées tributes have also been created such as vintage “Maxime” to the grandfather or the vintage “Maria” for the mother of Sylvie Milhard.
Vidéo Fr & En
Meeting over a glass of wine with Sylvie Milhard : Did it always was obvious to you that one day you would take over the Château Vieux Mougnac ?
” No, because I saw my parents work so that they gave 24h/24 and that was not somehting that I wanted to to and thus, I did not want to do the same as them. I started my life as an accountant married to a teacher there was nothing left that prejudice that I would resume someday homestead. Still I did not completely leave the world of wine since I was practicing as a large Bordeaux merchant.
Always with an eye on the vineyard I saw drifts pesticide use in viticulture, its ravages. I was so attached to family values of work, respect for the land, the old and the work that my parents had done on our vineyard that I did not want to lose my traditions. In 1991 I decided to return to the property to work with them, train me in anticipation of the estate. Gradually I took the property. I started to take care of marketing and I went to work in the vineyard and in the restoration of the property as at the vineyard as the production tool.
Currently I work with my two children, in total harmony with them. We communicate a lot between us. I am very proud of Vieux Mougnac, that I created, made and then give it to my children.
Now my daughter is in charge of marketing. While studying geography at the University of La Rochelle she sold during the weekend wine grandfather to pay for his studies. She sold wine but do not drink but dint see other enjoy and love what they drank she said AC must be good so she began to taste and enjoy wine.
Following his studies in geography he left to London to be trained and be able to take over the property. Once he gradudated, he worked in different places, restaurants to gain experience and then in 2009 he returned to the property. Initially it dealt only half of export sales but soon the virus caught the vine. She is now a full-time marketing the wines of Château Vieux Mougnac.
My son was deeply influenced by his grandfather. He departed to go in a course that would allow him one day take over ownership. He spent his BAC Pro Viti-Oeno but it did not go directly to the winery. Thirsty of culture he resumed studies and went to college to pursue a degree in sociology until the day seeing his sister back to the property he said it was time to go and work in family the property. So he returned to take care of the family estate. “(Sylvie Milhard)
What are you looking for annually vinifying your wines ?
“We made vintage wines and terroir wines and not technological. Our vines have large roots that draw everything they need deep and healthy soil, which has never been treated. I repeated, but this is important, our vines have never been treated. All this we find him at the tasting.
One feels more like a peasant winemaker than anything else. For example according to the years, conditions that we have been we will produce a sweet wine. If you respect nature, nature will reward you ! “(Sylvie Milhard)
Why participate in Bests of Wine Tourism 2014 and what does it bring you?
“They phoned us to discuss the concept and did the most and as we are known locally for our sense of hospitality, our usability was therefore agreed to recognize what was already in place.
Historically we get consumers / tourists to the property. I remember when I was a child we received people around the dining table. Most of the time they stayed with us even to eat garden products. It was friendly, warm to the point that often after eating guests stayed to help us in the vineyard or winery. Today my kids and I we fit completely in the tradition that is the friendliness here. To give you an example, we continue to receive tourists around the dining table. I find that much more friendly than to host behind a sales counter.
The Best of Wine Tourism 2014 allowed us recognition at departmental level, to find commercial lead (wine shops), but also our current Intern in Wine Tourism. She came to see us at the end of the presentation of Best of Wine Tourism to offer us work for us. Upon her arrival she has put in place numerous projects, supports communication despite a low budget. “(Sylvie Milhard)
Side anecdote :
There is little time the Château Vieux Mougnac appealed for donations on the internet in order to acquire a horse. The latter is of course designed to work in the vineyards so you do not compact the soil with the weight of the tractor. This appeal for donations was a real success, the horse was not late to arrive on the property.
Still anecdote side, the Château Vieux Mougnac is one of the few Bordeaux Supérieur wines to be present in the Elysee cellar.
Thanks to Sylvie Milhard for their warm and friendly welcome.
Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche
Château Vieux Mougnac
6 Mougnac,
33570 Petit-Palais-Et-Cornemps
