Portraits of winemakers

VIGNOBLES FRANCK DESPAGNE: THE QUEST FOR BALANCE

Franck Despagne: A Legacy of Winemaking at Château Vieux Bonneau

Franck Despagne was destined for winemaking from a young age. His father, Alain, acquired 6 hectares of vines in AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion in 1976, establishing Château Vieux Bonneau. After earning his diploma in viticulture, Franck joined his father’s venture in 1986, following a few short experiences in other companies.

"I arrived for the 1986 harvest. For me, pursuing this profession was an obvious choice."

Expanding the Family Legacy

Nine years later, Franck took over the estate from his father. Since then, the Despagne family's viticultural heritage has significantly expanded. In 1988, Franck and his father acquired 5 hectares of vines in the Lussac Saint-Émilion appellation (Château Jamard Belcour), followed by 6 hectares in the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation (Château Lapourcaut Bellevue) in 1999.

Today, Vignobles Franck Despagne spans 25 hectares of vineyards. Franck works alongside his wife, Bénédicte, and three permanent employees. All winemaking takes place at Château Vieux Bonneau, which houses the winemaking cellars. The diverse terroirs available to Franck and his team allow for a varied range of wines, all guided by a clear objective: to produce balanced wines.

"The Most Important Thing for Us is to Produce Balanced Wines"

"We produce rich wines by striving for maximum balance between power and elegance. This involves a precise blending of the grape varieties from our terroir and a careful adjustment of the sugar/acidity balance during vinification," explains Franck.

The wines from Vignobles Franck Despagne exhibit distinct characteristics depending on the appellation. For example, wines from AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion are known for their tannic structure and ample body, with a minimum aging potential of ten years, such as the cuvée "L’Envie," from a 100-year-old vineyard parcel.

Wines from AOC Lussac Saint-Émilion, also with good aging potential and tannic character, are distinguished by their freshness and fruity notes. The cuvée "Château Jamard Belcour," with pronounced red fruit aromas and soft yet present tannins, perfectly exemplifies the balance Franck aims to achieve.

Understanding that wine preferences vary widely, Franck also caters to those who enjoy more approachable wines. Thus, he offers the cuvée "Château Lapourcaut Bellevue" in AOC Bordeaux Supérieur, a round, fruit-forward wine with an excellent price-quality ratio.

Sustainable Practices and Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Franck focuses primarily on his vineyards. Committed to tradition yet open to modern techniques, he remains attentive to his land. For over 20 years, Franck has practiced sustainable viticulture, a method involving the use of phytosanitary products only after careful observation of the vines and climatic data to determine any necessary intervention.

Highly aware of environmental changes and climate change, Franck continually tests new methods to produce the best possible grapes.

"The foundation of a good wine is having good grapes. Vine care is essential. A well-respected grape will be of high quality and will not need any artifice to express its full potential. Great wines come from the meeting of a magnificent fruit and a deep passion..."