He came to change his life, take root and make a wine worthy of the greatest. Undoubtedly, Jean-François Quenin brings together dreams held by many enthusiasts. To become a winegrower. 
Saint Emilion. A myth for the collectors, a dream for neo-winegrowers. Its centuries-old chateaus, its winding roads, vines as far as eye can see, turquoise in summer, amber in autumn, and its wines that make you loose your senses. Jean-François Quenin converted, at 48 years, at Château de Pressac. Formerly general manager at Darty, a graduate of HEC, he arrived, the winegrower's faith binding his body and soul together. Spectacular reconversion, back to square one passing a professional certificate in Blanquefort. His motivations were part of a quest for authenticity. A more fusional way to live in this world. Live the life of a winemaker and a castellan! Because it is at the castle of Pressac, perched on a hilltop, that was signed the surrender of the city after the defeat of the English at the Battle of Castillon, ending the One Hundred Years War and the occupation of Aquitaine by the English. Although the castle has since been rebuilt in the nineteenth century in a Neo-Gothic style, such a legacy imposes eternal values ...
The chateau was acquired by Jean-François Quenin and his wife Dominique in 1997, major restoration and rehablitation works were undertaken both on the building and within the 36-hectare vineyard. The latter was extended by developing terraces on steep slopes and replanted by 90% in a 22-year time. With in particular 1 hectare of Noir de Pressac, eponymous of the chateau, the local name of Malbec that a certain Vassal de Montviel is supposed to have brought back in the 18th century from his native Quercy and which was later developed by Lord Malbek and given his name. In 2012, it was the cellars' turn. A complete renovation with 40 vats for 40 plots, different containers, materials, hand-picking, a high-performance sorting table ... Investments that say a lot about the ambition for the 200,000 bottles (Château de Pressac and Château Tour de Pressac). And the result is not long to come since in 2012, while Hubert de Boüard and Alain Raynaud have just taken their marks as consultants, the Château de Pressac enters the Grands Crus of Saint-Emilion classification. A fair reward, but today, a new stage of development begins: “For 20 years, we have been working on quality, today we are perceived as a serious wine, consistent, with a very good quality-price ratio, but we have the means to become a First, with our exposure in hillsides, our 5 grape varieties that complement each other (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Carménère and Malbec), a new winery in project for 2020, so maybe for the classification of 2032 …”
For now, after resurrected his chateau, Jean-François Quenin wants to remedy the culture of secrecy proper to Bordeaux and strives to build an image. The chatelain opens his doors with pleasure: 9,000 visitors are welcomed each year at the chateau and he works to bring Château de Pressac on the most beautiful gastronomic tables.
Bénédicte Chapard
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