Vignobles Franck Despagne: the quest for balance

Franck Despagne was destined for winemaking from a young age. His father, Alain, acquired 6 hectares of vines in AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion in 1976, establishing Château Vieux Bonneau. After earning his diploma in viticulture, Franck joined his father’s venture in 1986, following a few short experiences in other companies.

What drew Franck Despagne to winemaking?

An obvious calling

I arrived for the 1986 harvest. For me, pursuing this profession was an obvious choice.

How did the family estate grow?

Expanding the family legacy

Nine years later, Franck took over the estate from his father. Since then, the Despagne family's viticultural heritage has significantly expanded. In 1988, Franck and his father acquired 5 hectares of vines in the Lussac Saint-Émilion appellation (Château Jamard Belcour), followed by 6 hectares in the Bordeaux Supérieur appellation (Château Lapourcaut Bellevue) in 1999.

Today, Vignobles Franck Despagne spans 25 hectares of vineyards. Franck works alongside his wife, Bénédicte, and three permanent employees. All winemaking takes place at Château Vieux Bonneau, which houses the winemaking cellars. The diverse terroirs available to Franck and his team allow for a varied range of wines, all guided by a clear objective: to produce balanced wines.

What defines the wines of the estate?

The Most Important Thing for Us is to Produce Balanced Wines

We produce rich wines by striving for maximum balance between power and elegance. This involves a precise blending of the grape varieties from our terroir and a careful adjustment of the sugar/acidity balance during vinification,

explains Franck.

The wines from Vignobles Franck Despagne exhibit distinct characteristics depending on the appellation. For example, wines from AOC Montagne Saint-Émilion are known for their tannic structure and ample body, with a minimum aging potential of ten years, such as the cuvée "L’Envie," from a 100-year-old vineyard parcel.

Wines from AOC Lussac Saint-Émilion, also with good aging potential and tannic character, are distinguished by their freshness and fruity notes. The cuvée "Château Jamard Belcour," with pronounced red fruit aromas and soft yet present tannins, perfectly exemplifies the balance Franck aims to achieve.

Understanding that wine preferences vary widely, Franck also caters to those who enjoy more approachable wines. Thus, he offers the cuvée "Château Lapourcaut Bellevue" in AOC Bordeaux Supérieur, a round, fruit-forward wine with an excellent price-quality ratio.

How does Franck approach the vineyard and its future?

Sustainable practices and future prospects

Looking ahead, Franck focuses primarily on his vineyards. Committed to tradition yet open to modern techniques, he remains attentive to his land. For over 20 years, Franck has practiced sustainable viticulture, a method involving the use of phytosanitary products only after careful observation of the vines and climatic data to determine any necessary intervention.

Highly aware of environmental changes and climate change, Franck continually tests new methods to produce the best possible grapes.

The foundation of a good wine is having good grapes. Vine care is essential. A well-respected grape will be of high quality and will not need any artifice to express its full potential. Great wines come from the meeting of a magnificent fruit and a deep passion...

Frequently asked questions about Vignobles Franck Despagne

Where is Vignobles Franck Despagne located?

The estate brings together 25 hectares across three Bordeaux appellations: Montagne Saint-Émilion, Lussac Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux Supérieur. Every cuvée is vinified at Château Vieux Bonneau, the family's original property.

What style of wine does Franck Despagne aim for?

His guiding idea is balance. He looks for a meeting point between power and finesse, adjusting the blend and the sugar-to-acidity ratio during vinification to keep the wines poised.

What are the estate's flagship cuvées?

Three cuvées sum up the range: L'Envie, a Montagne Saint-Émilion from century-old vines; Château Jamard Belcour, a fresh, red-fruited Lussac Saint-Émilion; and Château Lapourcaud Bellevue, a round, fruit-forward Bordeaux Supérieur.

Is the cuvée L'Envie a wine for ageing?

Yes. Made from century-old vines in Montagne Saint-Émilion, it shows an ample tannic frame and keeps for at least ten years. It rewards a little patience before it fully opens up.

How are the vines farmed?

The whole vineyard has been managed under sustainable viticulture for more than twenty years. Treatments are applied only after walking the plots and reading the weather data, so intervention stays limited to what is genuinely needed.