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THE VINEYARDS AT CHATEAU LESTEVENIE
THE OWNERS OF CHÂTEAU LESTEVENIE, PETRIE AND JACO TERBLANCHE
BERGERAC
CHÂTEAU LESTEVENIE: INTERNATIONAL FORTUNES
Serendipity is probably the word that best summarises the recent history of
this winery. South African natives Petrie and Jaco Terblanche met in New York,
whilst Petrie was living in San Francisco and Jaco in London, where they both
had senior positions in embryology and accountancy. After moving to France and
getting married, they decided to embark on a career change. In February 2022,
they became the owners of Château Lestevenie. “By a curious twist of fate, the T
represents the winery’s white limestone terroir – literally white earth – but also
the Terblanche family name, its French heritage and the vine growing in excellent
natural conditions”, recounts Petrie Terblanche. “Our terroir is not that dissimilar
to that of the Bordeaux region. It has a limestone base with varying degrees of
clay, depending on whether it is on hillsides or down towards the valley”. All the
vines grow on hillsides where the limestone component favours good drainage.
The clay in the soil helps maintain dampness for longer during rain-free periods.
Producing white Bergerac from Sauvignon and Semillon and reds from Cabernet-Sauvignon,
Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the winery has started exploring
export markets. And initial feedback is good due to the competitive pricing of these
quality wines. “Admittedly, we have neither its history nor its name”, comments
Jaco Terblanche. “But increasingly, wine enthusiasts want to discover and taste
wines outside Bordeaux. Everybody knows Bordeaux, but now they want to try
something new. And that’s exactly what we can offer them”.
AUTUMN 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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