Chateau de Ferrand, a Grand Cru Classé de Saint Emilion, has a history dating back over 300 years, with only two families owning the estate throughout its existence. It was first owned by Elie de Betoulaud, followed by the Marquis de Mons and their descendants.

Today, it is owned by the family of Baron Bich, founder of BIC company. The estate is now managed by Pauline Bich Chandon-Moët, the daughter of Baron Bich, and her husband Philippe Chandon-Moët.

Significant improvements have been made at Château de Ferrand since 2010. The vineyards have been restructured and replanted based on thorough soil studies and adaptation of grape varieties to terroirs. The cultivation methods have been revamped, winemaking buildings modernised, and cellars upgraded, enabling plot-by-plot management. As a result, the wine’s quality levels have significantly improved.

In 2012, the family’s commitment to excellence was recognised when Château de Ferrand became a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé.

The estate, covering 42 hectares in a single plot, benefits from a rich and complex terroir with clay-limestone hillsides at around 100 meters above sea level. This elevated position provides ideal exposure to the winds and excellent ventilation, while slight slopes ensure proper drainage during summer rains.

The grape varieties grown are 70% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing to a balanced wine with roundness, freshness, minerality, acidity, and a lingering finish.

The vineyard is managed with respect to each plot’s specific characteristics. Winter pruning, budding, and disbudding are carried out with precision. The grape harvest undergoes three sorting steps: at the vine, upon arrival, and an optical sorting before transfer to vats.

Château de Ferrand has been committed to an environmental approach since 2012, and as of 2021, the entire vineyard is undergoing organic conversion. The estate holds certifications like Terra Vitis (2012) and HVE level 3 (2018), and it obtained ISO 14001 standard certification in 2021, further supporting its environmental efforts.

Today, the estate boasts a fantastic hospitality and is worthy of a visit, dotted with curated BIC artistry and guest rooms.

Blend – 79 % Merlot – 11 % Cabernet franc – 10 % Cabernet sauvignon

2015 Vintage – The winter of 2015 was characterized by mild temperatures and low rainfall. The first merlot flowers appeared on 26 May, followed by cabernet on 28 May. Mild temperatures in late May enabled optimum flowering and quality development. The July weather was dry with scorching temperatures. Ferrand’s clay vineyards did not suffer, as they benefitted from cool temperatures in the subsoil. The vine’s growth cycle slowed. Veraison was early. August saw a fall in temperatures and some rainy periods. The vines gained new water reserves to ensure an even colour change. The vineyard was in a perfectly healthy condition. In September, the grapes continued to ripen. Daytime temperatures were sufficient and night-times were cool – perfect weather to ensure optimum ripeness.

Staying true to the wines of the Saint-Émilion appellation, Château de Ferrand has a garnet colour and an intense nose of ripe fruit and spice. It is clean in the attack with smooth tannins. It then develops very ripe red fruit, blackcurrant, raspberry and blueberry notes and a lingering, elegant finish.

Gaining greater roundness and precision whilst retaining elegance and freshness, the new Ferrand team is bringing a style that reveals the vineyard’s potential.

Château de Ferrand is now hailed as one of Saint-Émilion’s most promising wines.

James Suckling – 94 points

Aromas of attractive red flowers, black cherries, chalk and deep cedary wood. This wine has a super fresh and tight-knit feel to it. The palate is laced up tight with fine, smooth tannins. Reserved and elegant. Full of finesse. Best from 2022.

Wine Advocate Robert Parker – 90-92 points

The 2015 Château de Ferrand is a blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a plump dark cherry and cassis-scented bouquet that is well defined and managed to control the exuberance of the Merlot. The palate is sweet and candied on the entry, but there is structure underneath and that Cabernet imparts an attractive graphite note, which comes through on the finish and aftertaste. This is one to look out for in bottle, because it has some class.

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points

Made to be drunk young, this ripe, black-fruit wine has generous tannins that are well integrated into the fruit and acidity. Smoky, spicy and with a generous structure, it will be ready from 2019.