Château
Lestignac
When frost stole their entire 2017 harvest, Camille and Mathias Marquet didn't retreat—they expanded. Enter Hors Les Murs: a transparent négoce project sourcing from organic growers who lacked cellars, proving that crisis breeds innovation in the limestone hills of Southwest France.
In 2008, this young couple inherited 17 hectares from Mathias's grandparents in Sigoules, near Bergerac. Rather than maximize volume, they streamlined to 10 hectares of prime sites—north-facing limestone slopes and blue clay plateaus. By 2010, ECOCERT certified them organic; by 2011, biodynamic. They traded tractors for horses, embraced goblet pruning (a rarity in Bergerac) to protect grapes from sun and preserve acidity, and cultivated polyculture with 200+ fruit trees, 80 chickens, and 20 sheep. The Marquets treat vines with homemade herbal tisanes (nettle, comfrey, yarrow, wicker) according to the lunar calendar, gradually eliminating sulfur and copper. [^62^] [^66^] [^91^]
Camille Marquet
Oversees operations and the Hors Les Murs négoce project. Transparency advocate—every bottle lists exact grape origins. The couple met while studying, united by a vision of "mindful, organic farming" and genuine polyculture.
Mathias Marquet
Third-generation steward of the family estate. Drives the biodynamic conversion and natural winemaking philosophy. Together they make wines "rapidly becoming as respected as they are respectable." [^91^]
Polyculture & Terroir
Limestone and flint (silex) over blue clay. Two distinct sites: a gentle north-facing slope and a clay-limestone plateau. Worked entirely by horse and hand.
Goblet pruned
Cider experiments
Eggs & compost
Natural fertilizer
Zero compaction
Soils: Tertiary fluvio-lacustrine sediments—Calcaire de Castillon (white, chalky limestone with cracks), Molasses de l'Agenais (clay-sand-gravel layers), and flint-studded slopes. The north-facing exposure preserves acidity in this warm, Atlantic-influenced climate. [^89^] [^85^]
"This juice is fresh, precise, juicy, with depth—a beautiful ode to spring!"— Camille & Mathias on Chaosmose
The Wines
Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. No additives except homeopathic sulfur doses at bottling—only when needed. Unfined, unfiltered, and increasingly zero-sulfur. Vin de France classification by choice, not constraint. [^91^]
The flagship "blouge"—a chaos-blend of red and white grapes. Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle. Vibrant red fruit, cherry, cranberry, wild raspberry with a "subtle briney twist." Serve chilled. [^77^] [^80^]
Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle blend. 2-3 weeks skin contact, aged in concrete. "Caramelized and braised mandarin notes, grapefruit peel, tangy juniper berry, herbs." The zero-sulfur orange wine for skeptics. [^69^] [^75^]
Blanc + Rouge = Blouge. A bright, tangy field blend that captures the estate's polyculture spirit. "Fresh, precise, juicy, with depth." Sulfite-free. [^91^]
Dark juice with black fruit and spice. "A vintage of finesse—no heavy extraction, just pure elegance." The estate's most serious bottle, worth cellaring. From their oldest parcels. [^91^]
100% Merlot, no added sulfites (<10mg/L). The purest expression of their limestone terroir—naked, unadorned, honest. [^65^]
From Hors Les Murs project: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Chenin Blanc, Trebbiano sourced from biodynamic growers in Monestier, Cunèges, Saint-Astier-de-Duras. 12-day skin contact on Sémillon, direct press for others. [^67^]
Visit & Contact
Located in Sigoules, 10 minutes from Bergerac in the heart of Périgord. The estate features limestone hills, orchards, and animals. By appointment for tastings and cellar visits. Also exploring cider production from their 200+ fruit trees.
Location
Sigoules
24140 Bergerac Region
France
Certifications
ECOCERT Organic
Biodynamic
Vin Nature
Connect
chateau-lestignac.comProjects
Hors Les Murs
Cider Experiments
Polyculture