Jean-Baptiste Duquesne, winegrower and owner of Château Cazebonne, explains his journey

Jean-Baptiste Duquesne, winegrower and owner of Château Cazebonne, was interviewed during the Salon du Vin et du Chocolat d’Asnières. He presented his vision for the vineyard, focused on replanting ancient Bordeaux grape varieties, of which 30 have already been reintroduced and 70 are planned. This approach aims to recover lost biodiversity and provide answers to current challenges such as global warming, drawing on the region's history and ampelographic heritage. Château Cazebonne produces organic and biodynamic wines, using minimal inputs. The red wines are described as modern, fruity and easy to drink, whilst the white wines are rich, structured and solar. Jean-Baptiste Duquesne, although a relatively new winegrower with 9 vintages under his belt, has a unique background: he previously worked in the digital sector. His transition to winemaking was sparked by discovering dead soils under conventional farming and the desire to bring life and diversity back to his vines. He undertook the work of a historian, consulting 19th-century publications to trace the names of lost grape varieties and collaborating with conservatories such as Vassal to reintroduce them. This research resulted in a book, «Bordeaux, une histoire de cépages». He stresses the importance of preserving these ancient genetics, viewing them as an invaluable reservoir of solutions for the future of French wine.