About Camille & Mathias Marquet – Château Lestignac

Château Lestignac is a biodynamic, family-run winery located in Sigoulès, in the Bergerac appellation of the Périgord region, South-West France. Founded in 2008 by Camille and Mathias Marquet, the domaine spans 7 hectares of vines on diverse terroirs (limestone-clay, clay-silt, and flinty limestone) at the confluence of the Dordogne, Lot, and Garonne rivers. Mathias, inheriting 13 hectares from his grandfather (part of a family estate since 1617), and Camille chose to reduce the vineyard to focus on quality, converting to organic farming (ECOCERT certified since 2010) and later biodynamics. Their natural wines, made with minimal intervention, are celebrated for their vibrant, precise, and joyful character, revitalizing the Périgord’s winemaking reputation.

Winemaking Philosophy

• Biodynamic and Organic Practices: The Marquets prioritize soil and vine health, using homemade herbal tisanes, lunar calendar treatments, and no synthetic chemicals. They practice agroforestry, planting hundreds of flowers, trees, and shrubs annually to mimic a forest ecosystem, reducing soil work. Sheep, goats (Manu & Brigitte), horses (Paco & Marquise), and 50 chickens contribute to biodiversity and natural fertilization.

• Natural Vinification: Wines are made without additives, except occasional homeopathic doses of sulfur at bottling for some whites. Fermentation uses native yeasts, with no filtration or fining. Aging occurs in used oak barrels to avoid new wood flavors, emphasizing fruit purity and terroir.

• Grape Varieties and Cuvées:

  • Reds (2.5 ha): Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carmenère, Milgranet. Key cuvées include Racigas (Merlot, dense and tannic), L’Ancestrale (Cabernet Franc, delicate and sweet), Golgoth (multi-varietal, spicy and velvety), and Tempête (precise fruit).

  • Whites (4.5 ha): Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Trebbiano, Ugni Blanc. Notable cuvées include Les Brumes (fresh and aromatic), Plouf (light and juicy), Comète (complex), and Callipyge (elegant).

  • Hors les Murs: A négoce line started in 2017 after frost losses, sourcing organic/biodynamic grapes from friends (e.g., Petit Manseng from Gers). Includes rosés, reds, and whites with a “thirst-quenching” focus.

• Terroir: The diverse soils and old vines (45–90 years) yield concentrated, expressive grapes, enhanced by the region’s temperate climate.

Background

• Founders: Camille and Mathias Marquet, a dynamic couple, took over the family estate in 2008, scaling down from 17 to 10, then 7 hectares to prioritize quality. Their three children (Armelle, Jacob, Zadig), alongside workers Sandrine, Arnaud, and Emma, and animals, form a vibrant community.

• Challenges: Climatic setbacks (e.g., 2017 frost) led to the Hors les Murs négoce line, showcasing their adaptability. Their commitment to sustainability includes plans for sheep and cows to further balance the ecosystem.

• Vision: The Marquets aim for a self-sustaining farm, blending viticulture with agroforestry and livestock, producing wines that are “an ode to spring” with freshness, precision, and depth.