Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU THIEULEY: PASSIONATE SISTERS CREATE RACY WINES

CHÂTEAU THIEULEY

Representing the third generation to care for the estate, Sylvie and Marie Courselle are committed to producing high-quality wines.

A Pioneering and Epicurean Family

The story begins in 1950 when André Courselle acquired Château Thieuley. In 1972, his son Francis Courselle further developed the vineyard and made it prosper. Over 30 years, the cultivated area expanded from 4 to 80 hectares. In the 1980s, while most winemakers in the region were uprooting white grape varieties in favor of red ones, Francis Courselle went against the trend by planting Sauvignon and Sémillon. With his keen eye for selecting excellent terroirs for white wines, he developed the technique of skin maceration to enhance the aromatic extraction of his grapes. A true pioneer, Francis Courselle brought significant renown to the family estate. While white wine production accounts for only 8% of total wine production in the Bordeaux region, at Château Thieuley, white wines represent 50% of the estate’s production.

After completing their studies in agricultural engineering and oenology, which allowed them to gain winemaking experience across the world—from California to Australia, Spain, Italy, Burgundy, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—the Courselle sisters took over the family estate twelve years ago. Armed with their experiences, these two close-knit and passionate sisters are the worthy heirs of their father and grandfather. At Château Thieuley, the roles are well-defined: Marie oversees the technical aspects, while Sylvie manages the commercial side. Together, they share a single goal: to make the family legacy thrive by bringing their modern, bold vision with a feminine touch. “The idea is to find a balance between respecting the traditional work that goes into making Bordeaux wines and adding a personal technical touch,” explains Marie Courselle. Highly sensitive to environmental concerns, they implemented a comprehensive environmental policy upon their arrival at the estate. Since 2017, the property has been certified by the Terra Vitis label (sustainable agriculture), which is based on the three pillars of sustainable development: respect for nature, people, and wines.

Distinctive and Elegant Wines

The Courselle signature is a true mark of quality. Their style? “Elegant, rich, and distinctive wines that reveal themselves more fully after a few months, quite different from the current trend of producing wines ready to drink immediately,” explains Sylvie Courselle. “We prefer to work on blends so that our wines can age longer,” she adds. While they produce red and rosé wines, it’s the white wines that have earned the estate its reputation.

Their Château Thieuley blanc cuvée is composed of 45% Sémillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, and 15% Sauvignon Gris. With its clear, pale yellow color, it delights with aromas of white-fleshed fruits and exotic fruits, complemented by a lovely freshness. This wine is equally enjoyable on its own as an aperitif or paired with oysters, smoked salmon, sea bream tartare, or white meats. Their Francis Courselle cuvée, a tribute to their father who created this wine in 1986, has continued under their care and now bears his name. Aged for 9 months in barrels, it boasts lovely toasted and vanilla notes alongside white-fleshed fruit aromas. Elegant and fresh, this gastronomic wine pairs easily with grilled prawns, creamy scallops, or goat cheese.

In another vein, their Château Thieuley rouge cuvée, composed of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, offers an intense nose with notes of ripe fruits like blackcurrant and blackberry, as well as hints of spices. On the palate, there are fruity, slightly oaky flavors with light, well-integrated tannins. This fairly traditional and fruity wine pairs perfectly with venison terrine, herb-crusted lamb shoulder, or soft cheeses.

For the Courselle family, family values are essential, and the quality of their wines is matched only by the conviviality they bring to those who enjoy them. As Sylvie Courselle so aptly puts it, “Wine is above all about sharing!”