Seraphine, Chateau
Summary
Château Séraphine is a boutique 2.2-hectare Pomerol estate established in 2016 by Martin Krajewski and operated as a father-daughter venture, producing a single Merlot-dominant wine from clay and gravel soils. The estate combines traditional Bordeaux methods with modern precision in its newly renovated facilities, where meticulous vineyard work and careful winemaking have quickly established its reputation despite its youth.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Séraphine represents one of Pomerol's newer estates, established in 2016 when British businessman Martin Krajewski acquired the property formerly known as Château Monbrun. Krajewski, who also owns Clos Cantenac in Saint-Émilion, named the estate after his mother, Séraphine. The property quickly transitioned from its previous identity with a complete renovation of the winemaking facilities and careful attention to the vineyards.
The estate operates under the technical direction of Charlotte Krajewski, Martin's daughter, who brings formal oenological training to her role as winemaker. This father-daughter collaboration has guided Château Séraphine from its inception, with Charlotte overseeing daily operations and winemaking decisions while Martin contributes his business acumen and vision for the property's development.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Séraphine encompasses approximately 2.2 hectares of vineyards situated in the prestigious Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank. The estate's parcels feature the clay and gravel soils characteristic of Pomerol, providing excellent growing conditions for the predominant Merlot plantings, supplemented by smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc.
The vineyard's location places it among notable neighbors in the Pomerol appellation, benefiting from the region's terroir that has long been recognized for producing wines of depth and elegance. The modest size of the estate allows for meticulous attention to each vine, with all harvesting conducted by hand to ensure only optimal fruit enters the winemaking facility.
The estate produces a single wine, Château Séraphine, which expresses the distinctive character of its Pomerol terroir through careful vineyard management and precise winemaking techniques.
Philosophy & Practice
Château Séraphine's approach to winemaking balances respect for traditional Bordeaux methods with precise, thoughtful execution. The estate practices selective harvesting, with fruit sorted both in the vineyard and again at the winery to maintain quality standards.
In the cellar, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vessels, allowing for careful extraction of color, flavor, and structural elements from the fruit. Following fermentation, the wine matures in French oak barrels, developing complexity while preserving the expression of the vineyard.
The small scale of production at Château Séraphine permits intensive attention to detail throughout the winemaking process. This focused approach reflects the Krajewski family's commitment to quality over quantity, with each vintage representing a careful expression of both the growing season and the distinctive Pomerol terroir.