Château de la Rivière, Xavier Buffo: a man of ambition in Fronsac

With its 100 hectares, including 65 hectares of vines, Château de la Rivière remains the largest vineyard in the Fronsac terroir. Since 2017, Xavier Buffo has been the General Manager, having spent most of his career at this estate:

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How did Xavier Buffo come to lead the estate?

From Master of the Cellar to General Manager

I started at Château de la Rivière as the cellar master 20 years ago. I later became the operations manager and, recently, the general manager. It is my heart's place.

What makes the Cuvée Aria stand out?

Cuvée "Aria": The Pinnacle of the Vineyard

Château de la Rivière’s range includes 5 wines: 2 reds, 1 rosé, and 1 white. Each wine has its own specific character, from the pronounced acidity of the white, to the fruity and clear rosé (reminiscent of Provençal wines), and the expressive and elegant reds.

As both an oenologist and agronomist, Xavier is committed to producing powerful and complex wines with good aging potential, such as the Cuvée Aria. This fruity and spicy red wine macerates for 6 weeks and is then aged for 18 months in new barrels.

It’s the estate’s premium cuvée,

Xavier comments.

Its name refers to an "aria" in opera, the most intense moment when the soloist expresses all their emotions.

Where are the wines kept?

8 Hectares of Underground Cellars

Perched on the heights of the Dordogne Valley, Château de la Rivière dates back to the 8th century. It features gigantic underground cellars spanning 8 hectares, carved into the limestone rock.

This is where we store all our wines because all the ideal conditions are present: freshness, humidity, and darkness,

explains Xavier.

What new projects is the estate developing?

New Projects and the Confluents d'Art Festival

Always brimming with ideas and projects, Xavier is keen to leverage the oenotouristic potential of Château de la Rivière, which he has already started with the opening of 5 guest rooms within the castle.

This ambitious winemaker has also created the Confluents d’Art festival, which will hold its first edition on July 6, 7, and 8 at Château de la Rivière. Over these three days, visitors can stroll through the castle’s gardens and enjoy performances across all forms of art: theater, dance, concerts, poetry, etc.

For attendees, it is also an opportunity to discover the estate’s cuvées. But that’s not all, as Château de la Rivière will open its doors to other Fronsac winemakers. This is an important criterion for Xavier, who wants to highlight his peers’ work to promote the appellation and showcase “the best it has to offer.”

Discover the wines of Château de la Rivière directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Château de la Rivière

Where is Château de la Rivière located?

The estate overlooks the Dordogne valley on Bordeaux's right bank, within the Fronsac appellation. With 100 hectares, 65 of them under vine, it is the largest property of that terroir.

Who runs Château de la Rivière?

Xavier Buffo has held the role of general manager since 2017. Trained as an oenologist and agronomist, he first joined the estate two decades earlier to run its winemaking.

What is the Aria cuvée?

It is the estate's top red, fruity and spicy in style. The wine macerates for six weeks, then ages eighteen months in new barrels. Its name nods to an operatic solo, the singer's most intense moment.

What wines does Château de la Rivière produce?

The range gathers five cuvées, including age-worthy reds, a bright rosé and a white with lively acidity. Each one shows a character of its own.

Can you visit Château de la Rivière?

Yes. The eighth-century château offers five guest rooms and hosts the Confluents d'Art festival. Visitors also explore huge tunnels cut into the chalky stone, where the bottles wait.