Our relationship with the Baron de Montfort estates is one that began more than 20 years ago while living and working in France. However, in regards to world of wine, didn’t begin until 2008. While working for a large French manufacturing company in the early 90’s, Peter met and befriended Bertrand de Sercey, who was then one of the export managers at the company. At the conclusion of the project, goodbyes were said and each went their own separate ways. Little did we expect that 20 years later at a wine convention in the United States, we would meet again in a strange twist of fate. We were once again back in the same line of business, as I would soon learn that Bertrand’s family owns and operates several prestigious vineyards in Bordeaux. After tasting these wonderful wines, I knew we had to share them with our friends, family and customers, and toast the newest chapter in the Sercey-Grisley friendship.With a total of 66 hectares, 16 in AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru, and the remaining 50 in AOC Cotes de Castillon, the Baron de Montfort estates produce classic Bordeaux wines in arguably the most prestigious wine region in the world.
Chateau de Monbadon was built in the early 14th century with Chateau Lagrange-Monbadon sitting at the base of the feudal castle, while Chateau du Rocher contains some of the oldest growths in Saint Etienne de Lisse. The clay and limestone soil at all three estates are perfectly suited for producing the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc varieties that thrive in Bordeaux.
DOMAINES DENIS DUBOURDIEU
Denis Dubourdieu is all at once a scientist, a vineyard owner and a wine maker. Educated as an agro-scientist, an Oenology Professor at the university of Bordeaux since 1987, he has concentrated his research studies on yeasts, aromas and colloids. He is considered as one of the top specialist in the winemaking process (and often referred to as the “godfather” of white Bordeaux wines) and the ageing of white wines. Nevertheless the work of his team has also greatly contributed to deepening our knowledge of red wines aromas.
Denis Dubourdieu attends to the family vineyards as a vine grower, a wine maker and is a consultant to numerous wine producers in France and abroad. Denis Dubourdieu and his wife Florence both come from old families of wine growers of the Bordeaux region. Assisted by their son, Fabrice, Engineer in Oenology, they produce wine from several estates totaling 120 hectares, in the Sauternes, Graves and Premières Côtes de Bordeaux regions.
The vineyards are run by 2 companies: Pierre & Denis Dubourdieu EARL (Doisy-Daëne, Cantegril & Haura) and Denis & Florence Dubourdieu EARL (Reynon and Floridène). In the latter part of 2006, after completing graduate studies in business and marketing, Jean-Jacques, Denis’ youngest son, joined the family vineyard. In charge of purchasing and marketing, he is also responsible for promoting the Dubourdieu brand name across the French and American markets. During the wine-making process, he oversees the harvest at Doisy-Daëne and Cantegril.
DOMAINE DU GROS PATA
We first discovered Domaine du Gros Pata at the Vinisud expo in Montpelier, France in February of 2008. While exploring new and exciting French producers, we came across the Gros Pata stand and were quite impressed by what we sampled. The white and rose wines were lively, bright and fresh, and the red wines were deliciously fruity and well-balanced. Even more impressive and intriguing for us, was the fact that the young woman pouring the wines, Sabine Garagnon, was “running the show” – something not typical for a French producer. Through our experiences in Spain working with young and upcoming oenologists and winemakers, this just seemed like the perfect fit for us. With two degrees, one in Viticulture, the other in Oenology, we look forward to seeing where Sabine will take Domaine du Gros Pata.
The domaine is situated in the commune of Vaison la Romaine, in of the beautiful Provence region of France, roughly 25 miles northeast of Avignon. The vineyard is part of the Appellation Cotes du Rhone controlee, and the regions vines enjoy a healthy dose of the Provencal sun which helps produce rich, robust wines from the varieties that thrive in the region. These include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cincault and Mourvedre for their red and rose wines, and Clairette, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc and Grenache Blanc for their whites.
The name “Gros Pata” is derived from the copper coins, or patas, that were once used to pay tolls when traveling from one commune to another in the Provence region. On one side there was a cross, and the other an image of the keys of St. Peter of Sautoir, which today is the logo of the vineyard. While the Domaine was founded at the beginning of the century, it wasn’t until 1978 that Paul Garagnon decided to create his own cellar instead of selling to the local cooperative cellars.
He controlled Gros Pata until 1992 when he unfortunately passed away and his son Gerald assumed control of the domaine, with help from his wife Geneveive and their daughter Sabine. Today, after four generations of winemaking, the “Garagnon et Fille” continue with operations and are still as passionate as ever about their wines.
MICHEL FONNE
The estate is found in the commune of Bennwihr, located halfway between Kaysersberg and Riquewihr. The village was rebuilt along the " Wine Route" at the foot of Marckrain (Grand Cru of our commune). The business operation includes 12 hectares of planted vineyards with seven types of alsacian vines.
The settlement of the village can be traced back to the middle ages. It successively belonged to the lords of Horbourg, the counts of Wurtemberg, the bishop of Strasbourg and to the lords of Ribeaupierre until the revolution.
Michel Fonné, is a certified œnologist from Dijon. After having obtained the technical expertise in Champenoise winemaking in Damery, and after having made wine from the 1987 harvest in the Alexander valley in California (Hafner Vineyard), Michel took over the family business of his uncle, René Barth.