Bordeaux influence

Bernadette and Jacques Lésineau previously farmed Château Haut-Gardère in the Pessac-Léognan appellation area near Bordeaux. Like many other Bordeaux châteaux that estate, on magnificent, coarse alluvial gravel slopes, had gone into decline following the 1929 crisis.

In 1979 the Lésineau family set out to restore Haut-Gardère to its former glory, clearing and replanting 60 acres of vineyard. Château Haut-Gardère was then bought by Château de Fieuzal, a Graves Grand Cru Classé.

The time served wine-farming in the Bordeaux area, in the midst of so many famous crus classés, taught the Lésineau family the importance of a qualitative approach to wine-farming and of careful vinification.

The experience and know-how that these centuries-old properties have acquired, coupled with more recent oenological research, are applied to bring out the very best in the grape varieties, the soil and climate.

This unmistakable Bordeaux style can be seen in Moulin de Ciffre's wines today, made from rich, ripe grapes that bring out the best in the variety and the special characteristics of the vineyard, with well-developed tannins and excellent ageing properties.