Château-Figeac

Château-Figeac is a historic wine estate in the Saint-Émilion appellation of Bordeaux, France. Located in the north-western part of the appellation near the Pomerol boundary, the property is one of the largest estates in Saint-Émilion. It covers approximately 54 hectares in a single block, including about 41 hectares of vineyards. Its identity is strongly shaped by three gravel rises composed largely of quartz and flint over iron-rich blue clay. These well-drained, heat-retaining soils are unusual within Saint-Émilion and allow the estate to cultivate a relatively high proportion of Cabernet varieties. The vineyard is planted with approximately 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot. This composition gives the estate's wines a profile that can resemble wines from Bordeaux's Médoc and Graves districts, despite Château-Figeac's location on Bordeaux's Right Bank, where Merlot is more commonly dominant. The grand vin is generally recognized for structure, aromatic complexity, freshness, longevity and a pronounced expression of its gravelly terroir. It is matured in entirely new oak barrels. The estate's origins are associated with a Gallo-Roman villa dating from around the second century, traditionally linked to a person named Figeacus. The property was close to 200 hectares in the late eighteenth century, but repeated sales and subdivisions during the nineteenth century reduced and fragmented the original holding. Henri de Chevremont acquired the estate in 1892. Through his daughter Henriette's marriage to André Villepigues, ownership subsequently passed into the Villepigues family and later to the Manoncourt family. A decisive modern chapter began in 1947, when Thierry Manoncourt assumed management of Château-Figeac. Under his leadership, the estate developed into one of Saint-Émilion's leading producers. Following the severe 1956 frost, the vineyard was replanted in the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot proportions that remain central to its identity. Thierry Manoncourt worked with his son-in-law, Comte Éric d'Aramon, who served as director from 1988 to 2013. After Thierry Manoncourt's death in 2010, his widow Marie-France Manoncourt and the wider family continued to guide the estate. The property has also modernized its production facilities. A new cellar complex was built over three years from 2018 to 2021. The facility reportedly provides approximately 5,000 square metres across three levels, extending 12 metres below ground. Frédéric Faye, previously the estate's technical director, became managing director during this period of renewal. Château-Figeac produces the flagship Château-Figeac grand vin and, since the 2012 vintage, the second wine Petit-Figeac. Before that change, the second wine was known as La Grange Neuve de Figeac, produced from 1945 through 2011. In the 2022 Saint-Émilion classification, valid through the 2031 harvest year, Château-Figeac was listed among the two estates holding the highest Premier Grand Cru Classé A rank. The estate's brand positioning rests on historical continuity, family stewardship, terroir specificity, Cabernet-oriented blending and long-term investment in viticulture and winemaking.

Château-Figeac takes its name and historical identity from an ancient estate associated with a Gallo-Roman villa believed to have been established around the second century. The villa is traditionally connected with an individual named Figeacus, from whom the later place and estate names are thought to derive. By the late eighteenth century, the property covered nearly 200 hectares, making it a substantial landed estate in the Saint-Émilion area. During the nineteenth century, the original property was sold and divided several times. One important subdivision in 1879 created Château La Tour Figeac, an adjacent but separate estate. Later divisions of that property produced Château La Tour du Pin Figeac properties, which are not the same as Château-Figeac. These historical separations explain why several Saint-Émilion estates share Figeac-related names without belonging to the Château-Figeac estate. Henri de Chevremont purchased Château-Figeac in 1892. His daughter Henriette later married André Villepigues, bringing the property into the Villepigues family. Because the Villepigues lived in Paris, day-to-day management was handled by Alfred Maquin. Their son Robert Villepigues took over management in 1905. After Henriette's death in 1942, succession to the estate was contested within the family, and ownership passed in 1946 to her daughter Adda Elizabeth Manoncourt, who was married to Antoine Manoncourt. In January 1947, their son Thierry Manoncourt, an agronomical engineer trained in Paris, took charge of the estate. His tenure was the key period in the formation of modern Château-Figeac. He strengthened the estate's reputation, developed its Cabernet-oriented vineyard model and helped establish the property as one of the leading names of Saint-Émilion. The severe 1956 frost led to extensive replanting, after which the vineyard was organized around approximately equal proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with Merlot making up the remainder. This planting strategy suited the estate's distinctive gravel soils and differentiated its wines from many Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion properties. Thierry Manoncourt remained actively involved until his death in 2010. His son-in-law, Comte Éric d'Aramon, served as director from 1988 to 2013 and contributed to the continuity of the family-led management structure. After Thierry's death, Marie-France Manoncourt became Honorary President, while the family continued to oversee the estate's direction. Frédéric Faye, who had previously served as technical director, became managing director. A major capital project followed with the construction of new cellars between 2018 and 2021. The completed facility covers about 5,000 square metres over three levels, with the lowest sections extending 12 metres underground. The project reflects the estate's effort to combine historical continuity with modern production, cellar logistics and environmental integration. The estate's wines are made from grapes grown on approximately 41 hectares of vineyard within a 54-hectare single-block property. Three gravel knolls of quartz and flint sit over iron-rich blue clay. The drainage and heat reflection of these soils support the ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, producing a style with structure, freshness and longevity. The grand vin is matured in 100% new oak. The estate's second wine was called La Grange Neuve de Figeac from 1945 to 2011 and was renamed Petit-Figeac from the 2012 vintage. In the 2022 Saint-Émilion classification, Château-Figeac received Premier Grand Cru Classé A status, valid through the 2031 harvest year.

1. 2022Premier Grand Cru Classé A classification confirmed

   The 2022 Saint-Émilion classification placed Château-Figeac in the top Premier Grand Cru Classé A tier, valid through the 2031 harvest year.

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2. 2021New cellar complex completed

   The estate completed new three-level cellars totaling approximately 5,000 square metres and extending underground.

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3. 2018Construction begins on new cellars

   Château-Figeac began a three-year project to build a new cellar complex.

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4. 2012Second wine renamed Petit-Figeac

   The estate introduced Petit-Figeac as the name of its second wine, replacing La Grange Neuve de Figeac.

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5. 2010Death of Thierry Manoncourt

   Thierry Manoncourt died after more than six decades of involvement in the estate's modern development.

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6. 1988Éric d'Aramon becomes director

   Comte Éric d'Aramon began a directorship that continued through 2013 and overlapped with Thierry Manoncourt's leadership.

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7. 1956Vineyard replanted after severe frost

   After the 1956 frost, the vineyard was replanted toward its characteristic 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot composition.

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8. 1947Thierry Manoncourt takes charge

   Thierry Manoncourt began managing Château-Figeac and subsequently led its rise to the front rank of Saint-Émilion estates.

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9. 1946Ownership passes to Adda Elizabeth Manoncourt

   Following the death of Henriette Villepigues, the estate passed to her daughter Adda Elizabeth Manoncourt.

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10. 1905Robert Villepigues assumes management

    Robert Villepigues took over the running of the estate after a period managed by Alfred Maquin.

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11. 1892Henri de Chevremont acquires the estate

    Henri de Chevremont purchased Château-Figeac, beginning the ownership sequence that later brought the property to the Manoncourt family.

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12. 1879Subdivision creates Château La Tour Figeac

    A subdivision of the historical Figeac estate created the separate Château La Tour Figeac property. Later related subdivisions produced additional estates with Figeac-related names.

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Luxury Bordeaux wine estate with a historic Saint-Émilion identity, distinctive gravel terroir and an unusually Cabernet-oriented blend for the Right Bank.

• Château-FigeacGrand vin red Bordeaux

  The estate's flagship Saint-Émilion red wine is produced from grapes grown on gravelly rises over iron-rich blue clay. Its blend is unusually Cabernet-oriented for the Right Bank, with approximately 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot. The wine is matured in 100% new oak and is positioned as a long-lived, luxury Bordeaux with structure, freshness and pronounced terroir character.

• Petit-FigeacSecond wine2012

  Petit-Figeac is Château-Figeac's second wine. It has been produced under that name since the 2012 vintage, when it replaced the earlier La Grange Neuve de Figeac designation used from 1945 through 2011. The second wine provides a separate expression of the estate's vineyard holdings while remaining connected to the château's Saint-Émilion identity.

• 2022Premier Grand Cru Classé A classificationOther

  Saint-Émilion's periodic classification evaluates estates within the appellation's official hierarchy.

  What changed. Château-Figeac was placed in the highest Premier Grand Cru Classé A category in the 2022 classification.

  Aftermath. The status confirmed Château-Figeac's position among the leading classified estates in Saint-Émilion for the classification period extending through the 2031 harvest year.

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• 2018Investment in new production cellarsStrategy

  The family-led estate pursued a major modernization project while retaining its historic site and production identity.

  What changed. Château-Figeac constructed a new cellar complex over three years, completing the project in 2021.

  Aftermath. The completed facility expanded production infrastructure across approximately 5,000 square metres and three underground levels.

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• 2012Second wine renamed Petit-FigeacGeneration change

  The estate had produced a second wine called La Grange Neuve de Figeac since 1945.

  What changed. From the 2012 vintage, the second wine was rebranded as Petit-Figeac.

  Aftermath. The new name aligned the secondary offering more directly with the Château-Figeac brand.

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• 1956Replanting toward a Cabernet-led vineyardStrategy

  The severe 1956 frost damaged vineyards across Bordeaux and created an opportunity to reconsider the estate's planting structure.

  What changed. Under Thierry Manoncourt's leadership, Château-Figeac replanted toward approximately equal shares of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with Merlot representing the remaining 30 percent.

  Aftermath. The planting balance became a defining feature of Château-Figeac's style and helped distinguish it from more Merlot-dominant Saint-Émilion estates.

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• 2022Château-Figeac retains the highest Saint-Émilion classification

  The 2022 Saint-Émilion classification placed Château-Figeac in the Premier Grand Cru Classé A category, one of the two estates awarded the classification for the period extending through the 2031 harvest year.

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• 2021New Château-Figeac cellar complex completed

  The estate completed a new cellar complex built between 2018 and 2021, expanding and modernizing its winemaking infrastructure across three underground levels.

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• 2012Petit-Figeac becomes the estate's second wine

  Beginning with the 2012 vintage, the estate renamed its second wine Petit-Figeac, replacing the previous La Grange Neuve de Figeac designation.

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1. Château Figeac
2. Château-Figeac official website