Faugeres, Chateau
Summary
Château Faugères is a 37-hectare Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé estate owned by Silvio Denz, producing Merlot-dominated Bordeaux blends from limestone plateau and clay-limestone slope vineyards. The property combines traditional Bordeaux winemaking with modern precision through its gravity-flow winery, hand harvesting, parcel-by-parcel vinification, and sustainable viticultural practices that respect the estate's terroir expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Faugères traces its origins to the 18th century when it was established as a wine-producing estate in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux. The property experienced a significant turning point in 2005 when Swiss businessman Silvio Denz acquired the estate from the Péré-Vergé family. Under Denz's ownership, Château Faugères has undergone substantial transformation while maintaining its connection to Saint-Émilion's winemaking traditions.
Denz, who also owns other Bordeaux properties including Château Rocheyron and Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, brought a fresh vision to Faugères. His leadership team includes Managing Director Jean-Christophe Meyrou and Technical Director Michel Rolland, the latter serving as consulting oenologist. This leadership transition marked a pivotal moment for the estate, which achieved Grand Cru Classé status in the 2012 Saint-Émilion classification, a recognition of the quality improvements implemented under the new ownership.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Faugères encompasses 37 hectares of vineyards situated on Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau and clay-limestone slopes. The estate benefits from a diverse terroir with three distinct soil types: limestone at higher elevations, clay-limestone on the slopes, and more gravelly soils in specific sections. This geological diversity contributes to the complexity found in the estate's wines.
The vineyard is planted predominantly with Merlot (85%), complemented by Cabernet Franc (10%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%). Vines average 35 years in age, with some older parcels exceeding 45 years. The estate produces three wines: Château Faugères (the grand vin), Péby Faugères (a limited production cuvée from select parcels), and Cap de Faugères (from vineyards in the neighboring Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation).
The vineyards sit at elevations between 80-100 meters above sea level, with rows oriented to maximize sun exposure while maintaining proper drainage on the slopes. Planting density averages 6,000 vines per hectare, following traditional Bordeaux spacing protocols.
Philosophy & Practice
Château Faugères combines traditional Bordeaux winemaking principles with modern precision. The estate completed construction of a state-of-the-art winemaking facility in 2009, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta. This gravity-flow winery eliminates the need for pumping, allowing gentler handling of the fruit and must.
Harvest is conducted by hand with double sorting tables to ensure only optimal fruit enters the fermentation process. Vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with separate parcels vinified individually to preserve their distinct characteristics. The grand vin undergoes malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels, followed by aging for 15-18 months depending on the vintage characteristics.
The estate practices sustainable viticulture with careful canopy management and yield control. Vineyard work follows the lunar calendar for certain operations, reflecting a respect for traditional farming rhythms. In the cellar, minimal intervention is prioritized, with techniques such as limited racking and bottling without fining or filtration for certain cuvées to preserve the wine's natural expression.
Under Denz's direction, Château Faugères has invested in precision viticulture tools, including detailed soil mapping and weather monitoring stations throughout the vineyard to guide vineyard management decisions with greater accuracy.