Famille Mitjavile

François Mitjavile established the current identity of his family estates after taking over his wife’s family property in Saint Émilion in 1978. The property, previously known as Le Tertre, was rebranded as Tertre Roteboeuf to distinguish it from other Right Bank vineyards. Before beginning his career as a proprietor, Mitjavile gained experience through an apprenticeship at Château Figeac under the mentorship of Thierry Manoncourt. The family expanded their portfolio in 1988 by acquiring Roc de Cambes, a property in the Côtes de Bourg region. The operation remains family owned and managed, with François working alongside his daughter Nina and his son Louis, the latter of whom also established Domaine de l’Aurage in the Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.

The family manages vineyards that primarily feature clay and limestone soils. Tertre Roteboeuf is situated on a small six hectare plot shaped like a south facing amphitheater, which facilitates steady ripening. The name Roteboeuf refers to the sounds made by oxen as they worked the steep, sun drenched hillsides in the past. Their viticultural philosophy centers on harvesting grapes as late as possible to achieve high levels of phenolic ripeness. In the cellar, the wines are fermented in concrete tanks and aged in 100 percent new oak barrels from the Radoux cooperage. These barrels are seasoned with a specific toast profile that encourages slow oxygenation and develops the savory, spicy aromatics characteristic of the family style.

Tertre Roteboeuf is the flagship wine of the family and is widely regarded as a significant Saint Émilion Grand Cru, though it remains unclassified because François Mitjavile chose not to participate in the formal classification system. The family also produces Roc de Cambes and its sibling label, Domaine de Cambes. While Roc de Cambes is an estate bottled Côtes de Bourg, Domaine de Cambes is produced from vineyard sections near the Gironde estuary and is typically bottled under the Bordeaux AOC designation. These wines are recognized for a supple, concentrated texture and an aromatic profile that features dark fruit and exotic spices. The family maintains independence by selling their wines outside the traditional En Primeur system and the Place de Bordeaux brokerage network.