Blandine de Brier Manoncourt, co-owner of Château-Figeac: "Figeac is not just as a vineyard, but a legacy in every bottle"

In this insightful interview with Business Review, Blandine de Brier Manoncourt, co-owner of Château-Figeac, delved into the nuances and challenges of the wine industry, while exploring the unique qualities of Château-Figeac. Mrs. de Brier Manoncourt shares her perspectives on various topics, from the impact of climate change on winemaking to the blend of tradition and innovation that characterizes their approach.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing the wine industry today?

A significant challenge we face is maintaining our commitment to excellence while continuously striving to improve. Climate change presents another substantial challenge. For the past decade, we have been dedicated to deepening our understanding of how Château-Figeac operates, and serving its unique identity. This involves meticulously analyzing each plot to comprehend its response to climatic variations, to our cultivation methods, and our innovative ideas. Château-Figeac, with its distinct life, is a place of unique character. One of our ongoing challenges is to enhance our understanding of how our estate reacts to climate changes and to adapt accordingly. Figeac’s distinctiveness is also marked by our unusual blend of ⅓ Merlot, ⅓ Cabernet Franc, and ⅓ Cabernet Sauvignon, a unique composition in Bordeaux. Our current focus is not on altering this blend but on adapting to the specific needs of our vines in the face of climate change. We aim to evolve our practices to meet these new challenges, rather than making sweeping changes.

How do you think climate change will impact the wine industry in the future?

Over the last decade, exceptional vintages occur more regularly, a trend undoubtedly linked to climate change. This issue is a daily consideration in our operations. Climate change significantly impacts wine production, particularly due to rising temperatures. Our challenge is to preserve the freshness and longevity of our wines despite naturally increasing alcohol levels. Agriculturally, we’ve adapted our techniques, such as refraining from de-leafing during warmer conditions. Château-Figeac covers 54 hectares, with 41 hectares dedicated to vine cultivation. This leaves about a quarter of our land free from vines, instead populated by trees and other green spaces. These trees play a crucial role, providing humidity and cooler temperatures at night, which are immensely beneficial to the vines.

What are the values and vision that guide your family’s stewardship of Château-Figeac?

At the heart of our family’s stewardship of Château-Figeac lies a deep-seated respect – a respect for the people who work alongside us, for the nature that blesses us with its bounty, for our neighbors and fellow winemakers, and importantly, for our consumers. As a family residing at Figeac, our connection to this place is profound. When you truly love a place, you naturally come to respect it deeply. This reverence is central to our philosophy, which is often encapsulated in our saying: “We want to take the essence of this place and encapsulate it in the bottle.” It’s this guiding principle that shapes every decision we make, ensuring that every action is in harmony with this core value of respect.

What are some of the most memorable or rewarding experiences that you have had as a co-owner of Château-Figeac?

Last year, on September 8th, during the busy harvest season, we had an unforgettable moment at Château-Figeac – we were waiting for the classification results. The entire estate was abuzz with anticipation, awaiting the results from the classification while we were in the middle of our 2022 harvest. My sister Hortense, our mother, the general manager and the technical manager huddled together in our office, a sense of communal expectancy hanging in the air. The moment the results were revealed we all burst with happiness and pride. We started running through the vineyard and the cellars, sharing our joy with the cellar master, the vineyard manager and all the staff. All we had to say was “Yes!” and they all understood, no explanation needed. “1er Grand Cru Classé ‘A’” – a prestigious recognition, not just for our recent efforts, but for the dedication that spanned several decades, by us and by those who came before. To mark this special accomplishment, we held a small, intimate gathering with the Figeac team that evening. It was a time of celebration and shared happiness, a moment that encapsulated the exceptional nature of Figeac, not just as a vineyard, but as a legacy in every bottle.

How do you balance the tradition and innovation in your winemaking process, and how does that affect the quality and reputation of your wines in the global market?

At Château-Figeac, we have a unique approach to winemaking, inherited from my father, which emphasizes continual improvement without being bound by our past methods. We constantly question whether our current practices are the best way to achieve our goals, especially considering factors like climate change. This mindset is crucial in blending tradition with modern technology.

Our focus is on using technology and innovation to enhance our understanding of who we are and how we work, with the aim of improving our processes. This approach ensures that these advancements serve the needs of Figeac, rather than dominating our methods. Such a balance between tradition and innovation not only elevates the quality of our wines but also strengthens our reputation in the global market. We are committed to evolving while respecting our heritage, a philosophy that is deeply ingrained in our DNA.

What are the main characteristics of your wines that distinguish them from other types of wine and how do they appeal to different consumer segments?

The most compelling way to understand the uniqueness of our wines at Château-Figeac is simply to taste them. Beyond that, the distinctiveness of our wines can be largely attributed to the combination of our soil composition and our grape varieties. Our vineyards are spread across three hills, with a blend of gravel, flint, clay, and sand under which lies the famous blue clay – a characteristic of Figeac. This particular soil mix endows our wines with a notable minerality, exceptional richness, and a diverse flavor profile.

Our wines are known for their longevity, retaining quality over extended periods. Since the early 2000s, we’ve also focused on producing wines that are more approachable in their youth. We aim to craft wines that express their richness early on, yet have the ability to age gracefully, maintaining their freshness and elegance. Wine, to us, symbolizes time, and this is especially true for Figeac. Through our wines, we seek to convey the essence of the climate, the uniqueness of the location, and the dedication of our work and passion.

Another distinguishing feature of Figeac is our wine label, designed for the 1906 vintage by my great uncle. For its time, it was remarkably modern – just the name “Château-Figeac” in bold letters, followed by “Saint-Émilion,” and adorned with a red seal that signifies reliability and security. We’ve retained this label design because of its striking appearance and memorability. It not only adds a distinct character to our bottles but also brings a personal, family touch. The label stands out on a shelf, making our wines easily recognizable and memorable for consumers.

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