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Château Falfas
Château Falfas has been making wine-growing history in the Côtes de Bourg appellation since the 14th century. The winery combines medieval tradition with modern sustainability. Today, it is considered a pioneer of biodynamic winemaking in Bordeaux. The 20 hectares of vines extend over a gently sloping south-facing hillside. The excellent limestone soil offers ideal conditions for classic Bordeaux grape varieties. Under the direction of Véronique Cochran, wines of remarkable precision are produced here with the powerful fruit of the right bank of Bordeaux.
More about Château Falfas
The imposing château, which was built in 1612 in the Louis XIII style, towers majestically over the Gironde estuary. However, the history of the vineyard dates back to the 14th century, when the Seigneurs de Lansac were already producing wines of remarkable quality here, which found their way to the English royal court. The limestone subsoil and clayey soils, interspersed with silex, form the geological basis for the exceptional quality of the wines.
A historical guide from 1827 already mentioned Château Falfas as one of the best crus in the region - a reputation that has endured over the centuries. The decisive turning point came in 1988, when John and Véronique Cochran took over the estate and made the courageous decision to switch completely to biodynamic cultivation.
Biodynamic viticulture in harmony with nature
The decision in favour of biodynamics was more than just a trend - it stemmed from the deep conviction that great wines are created in the vineyard. Véronique Cochran, strongly influenced by her father François Bouchet, a pioneer of the biodynamic movement in France, favoured this holistic form of viticulture from the very beginning.
Today, in addition to the 20 hectares of vineyards, the winery also comprises 15 hectares of forest, which serves as a natural buffer and biodiversity reservoir. The vines, mainly Merlot (55%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Malbec (5%), benefit from the unique microclimate of the Gironde estuary.
Precision in the vineyard and cellar
The winemaking follows a minimalist approach that emphasises the natural expression of the terroir. The grapes are hand-picked and carefully selected. Fermentation takes place exclusively with indigenous yeasts in traditional concrete tanks, followed by a gentle maceration of 15-25 days.
The ageing process varies depending on the cuvée: while "Les Demoiselles de Falfas" matures for 6-8 months in concrete tanks and embodies a fresh, accessible style, the flagship Château Falfas is aged for 11-14 months in barriques, 30% of which are in new wood. The top cuvée "Le Chevalier", made from 75-year-old vines with extremely low yields (18 hl/ha), matures for 22 months in new French oak barrels.
The wines - an expression of terroir and time
The wines from Château Falfas are characterised by their precision and authenticity. The 2019 vintage presents itself with a deep ruby colour and complex aromas of dark cherries and earthy notes. The characteristic Merlot softness is evident on the palate, paired with fine tannins and an elegant structure of cherry, berry and subtle chocolate flavours.
"Les Demoiselles de Falfas" 2022 reveals a different facet of the terroir with notes of smoke, wood and cedar, underpinned by crushed blackberries and subtle nuances of spice. The wines consistently show a remarkable balance between power and elegance, paired with a pronounced ageing potential.
Under the careful guidance of Véronique Cochran and her dedicated team, which includes Driss, Christophe, Pascal, Stéphanie and her daughters Annabelle and Suzanne, Château Falfas has established itself as one of the most convincing representatives of the biodynamic winegrowing movement in Bordeaux. The wines not only reflect their unique terroir, but also the philosophy of sustainable viticulture in the best sense of the word.