Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU LE SÈPE: GREAT BORDEAUX WINES FOR ALL OCCASIONS!

Château Le Sèpe: A Successful Transition to Excellence

A Successful Career Change

Dominique Guffond, once a corporate risk manager in insurance, always harbored a passion for wine. After a professional shift, which included earning a professional diploma in viticulture and oenology and gaining experience at Château Ferrière (a 3rd Grand Cru Classé in Margaux), Dominique and his wife Catherine took the leap into winemaking by acquiring Château Le Sèpe in February 2009. "The previous owner, who sold bulk wine to merchants, had no successor, and while the vineyards were in good health, the production facilities, dating back to the 17th century, were in need of modernization. We saw an opportunity, especially given the estate's prime location in a classified area on a promising terroir," Dominique explains.

To develop bottled wine sales, they had to build a covered, temperature-controlled winery, adapt the vat room for parcel-specific vinification, and invest in equipment. Bottling is outsourced to a specialized company that ensures bottle rinsing and laser marking for traceability.

Located on the left bank of the Dordogne, Dominique and Catherine manage a superb clay-limestone plateau where they cultivate Bordeaux’s key grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc for red wines, and Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle for white wines. As part of their vineyard restructuring, they planted Malbec and Sauvignon Gris. This ideal location, about 100 meters above the Dordogne, promotes good ventilation. Committed to environmental stewardship, they began the process of organic certification in 2017. "For three years now, I haven’t used herbicides and have minimized inputs. This year, the work was even done by sheep," Dominique adds.

In addition to winemaking, they have embraced oenotourism, offering two charming guest rooms and a gîte since 2011. Classified as "Gîtes de France 3 épis," these accommodations have been highlighted by the Revue des Vins de France and received "Coup de Cœur" designations from Terre de Vins and Le Figaro.

Fruity and Harmonious Wines

Dominique's goal is to produce high-quality wines that are well-balanced with fruit and silky tannins. "I’m quite hands-off in my approach, as I work alone in the winery. I take my time, which is just as well, since wine requires time," he explains. "I allow our wines to mature slowly so that the tannins are well-integrated," he continues.

This philosophy is evident in the Cuvée Initiale under the AOC Bordeaux label, where Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are complemented by Malbec, a grape of Cadurcian origin that adds a rare spicy note in Bordeaux wines. Aged in 400-liter French oak barrels, this red wine, with notes of red and black fruits (cassis, blackberry), is well-balanced with smooth tannins and a long finish. It pairs perfectly with duck confit or aged Gouda.

In a different style, the Cuvée Classique, an ideal "wine for friends," delights with ripe red and black fruit notes, achieved through long aging in stainless steel tanks for 18 to 24 months, and its freshness. This red wine pairs wonderfully with tapas and charcuterie. Finally, their white wine under the AOC Entre-Deux-Mers stands out with barrel aging on lees and bâtonnage for five months, unlike the typical wines of this region. The result? A gourmet cuvée with aromas of white flowers and exotic fruits on the nose, followed by citrus and lightly wooded notes on the palate. This very fresh wine pairs well with seafood, goat cheese, or sushi.

Dominique and his team’s efforts quickly paid off, with Château Le Sèpe's first vintage in 2009 winning a Gold Medal at the Bordeaux Wine Competition in 2010. Since then, the estate’s wines have consistently earned recognition in professional guides and national and international competitions.

If you find yourself in Sainte-Radegonde or nearby, now you know where to stop!