Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU DE LIONNE, VÉRONIQUE SMATI: A FEMININE BORDEAUX VINEYARD

Château de Lionne: A Fresh Perspective on Winemaking

Véronique Smati: From Antiquing to Winemaking

Véronique Smati is not your typical winemaker. Far from growing up among vines, her initial path led her through the worlds of antiques and restaurant management. It wasn't until 2007 that she ventured into the wine industry, acquiring Château de Lionne with her husband.

"I was looking to reinvent myself professionally. It was a real upheaval in my life," Véronique recalls.

Upon taking over the estate, Véronique surrounded herself with a skilled vineyard worker already on site and received the support of a consulting oenologist who oversees daily work in the cellars.

Fresh and Fruity Wines "Pleasant to Drink"

Located in the heart of the commune of Illats, the Château de Lionne vineyard spans 37 hectares. From the outset, Véronique embarked on a major restructuring of the vines.

"I took over the vineyard from A to Z, starting by reducing the use of chemical inputs in the vineyards," the winemaker explains. "I also introduced manual harvesting, which we now practice 100%."

Aiming to produce fresh and fruity wines "pleasant to drink," Véronique dedicates part of her hectares to both red and white wines. She creates subtle blends using the emblematic grape varieties of the Graves terroir: cabernet, merlot, and petit verdot for reds, and sauvignon and sémillon for whites.

The cuvée "Château de Lionne," a blend of 70% merlot, 15% cabernet-sauvignon, and 15% petit verdot, perfectly embodies the personality Véronique wishes to infuse into her wines. With a light structure and smooth tannins, this wine is ideal for pairing with grilled meats on the plancha or barbecue.

Bal des Graves: Promoting Graves Wines

As a member of the board of the Syndicat des Vins de Graves, Véronique is heavily involved in promoting the Graves appellation. She also serves as the communication manager for the syndicate. Each year, she participates in organizing the Bal des Graves, an event designed to showcase the pairing of local seafood with AOC Graves wines in a chic and relaxed guinguette atmosphere!