Jean-Francois Delon
Among the most famous wineries in the world, the Haut Medoc sits on the throne. Many prestigious names, thanks to the 1855 classification, regrouped in a handful villages on the left bank of the Garonne Estuary (Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estephe, Pessac-Leognan), dominate the market of the wine world. This fame’s direct impact shows under the shape of a natural capitalistic phenomenon: there are not many family-owned vineyard left in these parts, most of them have been bought by major investors.
Fortunately for us, Jean-Francois Delon, owner of both Chateau Moulin de la Rose and Chateau Segur de Cabanac with his sister Guylene, belongs to the last few independent farmer, vintner, and winemaker left.
The Delon family history, as winegrower and maker, started six generations ago with Pierre Skevinsky, owner of Chateau Giscours and Chateau Lynch Bages. He married a Delon heiress. The family also acquired Chateau Leoville Las Case, still owned by distant cousins of Jean Francois. His grand Father acquired other estates such as Château Phelan Segur et Chateau Moulin de la Rose. When his son Guy, Jean-Francois’s father, wished to take over an estate, he was sold by his father Chateau Moulin de la Rose (4 hectares then) in 1971, the smallest estate of the family (4 hectares back then) and one the tiniest of Sant-Julien village (hence its nickname the “Lilliputian of Saint-Julien”). Guy later purchased the Chateau Segur de Cabanac in Saint-Estephe in 1986 (7 hectares).
Both Chateaux are now managed by his children, Jean-François (Technical Director) and Guylène (Administrative Director), along with 3 full time employees. Jean-François Delon believes in his terroirs, and that it is fundamental to respect their ecosystems. He works primarily with his hands in the vineyard; The vines are tended with the greatest of care all year long. The soil is ploughed, the vine density is high (9,000 vines/hectare), and the vines are severely pruned. All vineyard operations are thought through and carried out, with respect for the terroir, to produce grapes of the finest quality. Nothing is left to chance to make superlative wine from one of the finest winegrowing appellations in France. The grapes are entirely handpicked by a team of experienced seasonal workers who meticulously sort the fruit in the vineyard. His reasonable farming approach allowed him to have his estates certified HVE (High Environmental Value). Jean-Francois is also invested in the local life as the chairman of the Saint-Estephe appellation commitee, which is very unusual when these sits are usually held by predominant wineries.
The future looks bright as the next generation is at the door. Jean-Francois’s two children, Eve (who just graduated with a BTS degree) and Baptiste (highschooler), and Guylene’s daughter are already working at the estate: full time for the 2 eldest, while Baptiste helps in the summer. Jean-Francois’s philosophy and moto is: “I am but just a passing generation. All that matters now is to pass on the baton and help them express themselves and take the estate to higher ground while still respecting its terroir”.
