2018 Chteau Lestignac, ‘Comete’, VDF, France

Chteau Lestignac is overseen by Camille & Mathias Marquet, a young couple who inherited the family farm in 2008. Initially spanning 17 hectares of vinifera vines, the Marquets streamlined the vineyard to focus on prime locations and integrated a diverse garden and livestock to establish a genuine polyculture, complementing their mindful, organic farming approach. Their inaugural vintage as Lestignac was in 2009, marking the onset of their transition to biodynamic farming by 2011. Beyond the vineyard, the farm boasts an array of over 200 fruit trees, 80 chickens, and 20 sheep.

The vineyards are split between a gentle north-facing limestone slope and a blue clay plateau. Opting for horses instead of machinery, the Marquets cultivate all plots and have embraced biodynamic practices like using nettle, comfrey, yarrow, and wicker to phase out sulfur and copper treatments gradually. A significant portion of the vines are aged between 40 to 60 years, with strategic replanting. Employing goblet pruning for new vinesa rarity in Bergeracenhances sun protection and encourages a higher natural acidity for a vibrant wine style. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts is standard practice, with minimal intervention save for a hint of sulfites during bottling. In 2017, they launched “Hors Les Murs,” a negoce brand, and are exploring cider production using apples and pears from their orchards.

-From the importer