Vignobles Gonfrier

Identity

Headquartered at Château de Marsan, Vignobles Gonfrier is managed by Éric and Philippe Gonfrier. The third generation is also actively involved in running the estate: Thibault Gonfrier, Philippe’s son, is dedicated to vineyard preservation, while Audrey Gonfrier, Thibault’s sister, joined the company in 2018 to focus on financial strategy. The estate is based in Lestiac-sur-Garonne, in the Gironde department.

History and Philosophy

The story of Vignobles Gonfrier began in 1962 when Paul Gonfrier settled in Lestiac-sur-Garonne and acquired Château de Marsan. Initially, the estate combined fruit farming with a modest 3-hectare vineyard. The focus on viticulture deepened in 1985 with Éric Gonfrier’s first vinification. From 1986, Éric and Philippe Gonfrier embarked on an ambitious planting programme, targeting 15 hectares of vines per year for five years. The “Vignobles Gonfrier” entity was officially established in 1998. Paul Gonfrier, the founder, passed away in 2014.

The Appellations

Vignobles Gonfrier produces a wide range of appellations. For red wines, these include Right Bank appellations such as Bordeaux Rouge, Bordeaux Supérieur Rouge, and Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, as well as the Graves Rouge AOC for Left Bank parcels. Right Bank white wines include Bordeaux Blanc, Bordeaux Blanc Moelleux, and Cadillac, complemented by the Graves Blanc AOC from the Left Bank. Rosé wines are also produced under the Bordeaux Rosé and Clairet appellations.

Practical Information

The headquarters of Vignobles Gonfrier is located at Château de Marsan.

Find Out More

Official estate website

The Vineyard (Terroir)

Vignobles Gonfrier cultivates over 1,000 hectares of vines. The estate also owns 50 hectares of apple orchards at Château de Marsan, where 30 hectares are planted with vines. The vineyards span across several geographical areas. Part of the vineyard lies on Right Bank hillsides overlooking the Garonne. Covering 640 hectares, these plots benefit from a south-westerly exposure and are planted on clay-gravel and clay-limestone soils. Another 210-hectare section of the vineyard is located along the banks of the Garonne on alluvial clay-loam soils with a gravelly subsoil. In 2018, the estate expanded its holdings by acquiring vineyards in the Graves appellation on the Left Bank. The red grape varieties planted on the Right Bank are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. For dry white wines on the Right Bank, Sauvignon blanc is cultivated. Right Bank sweet white wines are crafted from Sémillon and Muscadelle.