Château Finegrave : Un Domaine Familial au Cœur de Saint-Julien

Château Finegrave: A Family Estate at the Heart of Saint-Julien

Located in the heart of the Saint-Julien appellation, among the Grand Crus Classés, Château Finegrave is the smallest estate in the region. Founded in 1961 by André Leclerc, this family-run vineyard today spans only 85 ares (less than one hectare), a modest size that allows for meticulous and precise work on each parcel. Over the generations, the estate has preserved its heritage while evolving with the times. Marie-Claude and Fidel Eliceche took over in 1998, continuing to develop the vineyard, and since 2021, they have been joined by the third generation.

At Château Finegrave, winemaking is a family passion. From childhood, the winemaker was immersed in memories of his grandfather and traditional harvests:

"I fell into it when I was little, just like a famous Gaul from a comic book! From an early age, I accompanied my grandfather in the vineyards."

Today, the fourth generation is already involved in the estate, ensuring the transmission of this precious heritage.

A Philosophy Focused on Terroir and Precision

At Château Finegrave, the vines are cultivated with respect and humility, in a way that enhances the terroir without forcing it.

This respect for the soil translates into sustainable viticulture and particularly precise harvesting:

"In 2024, we carried out five separate harvests on different days, whereas five years ago, we used to pick everything in a single day."

This approach ensures that each parcel is harvested at optimal maturity, guaranteeing expressive and well-balanced wines. Despite its small size, the estate produces four different wines, a true rarity for a vineyard of this scale:

• Cuvée Evoke: A single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon Saint-Julien, a first for the appellation, authentically expressing the terroir’s typicity.
• Château Finegrave AOC Saint-Julien: A structured and balanced wine, representative of the great reds of Médoc.
• Rosé de Saint-Julien: An elegant wine classified as IGP Atlantique, offering a new dimension to the estate’s production.
• Cuvée Syrah: A bold new addition, also classified as IGP Atlantique, reflecting the vineyard’s innovative spirit.

"Having such a small estate that produces four different wines is incredible! It requires hard work but brings immense satisfaction."

Ongoing Developments and Precision Winemaking

Since 2021, the winery has been entirely redesigned to improve precision and quality:

• Installation of small, temperature-controlled vats for meticulous fermentation control.
• Climate-controlled storage to ensure optimal aging conditions.
• Advanced parcel-based vineyard management for rigorous grape selection and refined vinification.

These improvements are reflected in the estate’s steadily improving ratings from professionals, a strong acknowledgment of the work accomplished. Château Finegrave wines reflect their winemaker: robust, deep, and built to last. On the palate, the estate’s wines express density and elegance, with notes of red and black fruits, a fine tannic structure, and captivating depth.

"I prefer wines with aging potential, structured wines that pair perfectly with a good red meat grilled over vine shoots. Our Saint-Julien wines fit this profile perfectly."

Beyond wine, Château Finegrave is above all a place of sharing and conviviality. Family, friends, and volunteers play an essential role in the life of the estate. Through its unique micro-cuvées, strong family roots, and commitment to quality, Château Finegrave stands out as a true hidden gem in the AOC Saint-Julien appellation, proving that greatness is not measured by the size of an estate, but by the passion and expertise of its winemaker!