Château Figeac

Château Figeac traces its name to the Gallo-Roman period, specifically a person named Figeacus who owned a villa on the site. The property passed through several families, including the Carle family in the 18th century, before the Manoncourt family purchased it in 1892. Thierry Manoncourt began managing the estate in 1947 and is credited with establishing the modern technical identity of the wine. He was among the first in the region to utilize temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Following his death in 2010, the estate remained in the family under the leadership of his widow, Marie-France Manoncourt, and their daughters. Frédéric Faye serves as the managing director and oversees winemaking operations.

The estate covers 54 hectares in the western part of the Saint-Émilion appellation, with 41 hectares dedicated to vineyards. Unlike the limestone and clay soils common in the region, the terroir features three distinct outcrops of Gunzian gravel consisting of quartz and flint. This geological profile allows for the cultivation of high proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which each account for approximately 35 percent of the vineyard, while Merlot makes up the remaining 30 percent. Winemaking involves precise parcel selection and gravity-fed systems. In 2021, the château opened a large underground cellar equipped with 40 individual vats designed for plot-by-plot vinification and aging in 100 percent new French oak.

The primary wine is the Grand Vin, Château Figeac, which is recognized for a structural profile that resembles wines from the Médoc while retaining the aromatic characteristics of the Right Bank. The estate also produces a second wine named Petit-Figeac, which replaced previous secondary labels in 2012. In the 2022 Saint-Émilion classification, the property was promoted to Premier Grand Cru Classé A, the highest rank in the appellation. This recognition reflects the estate's consistency and its position as a major reference for the region. The production remains focused on long-term aging potential and environmental sustainability through High Environmental Value certification.