Aug. 212023Blandine de Brier Manoncourt and Frédéric Faye
Madame Blandine de Brier Manoncourt
Blandine de Brier Manoncourt’s family has owned Château-Figeac, 1er Grand Cru Classé “A” of Saint-Emilion, since 1892. Born and raised at the château, she went on to graduate from Sciences Politiques in Bordeaux, and then worked in communications and as a freelance journalist for over fifteen years. She first specialized in tourism and travel and later covered other subjects as well. She was a member of the Association of Tourism Journalists. She has also co-authored books on nature and on various regions of France, including Aquitaine. She is a member of the Jurade de Saint-Émilion brotherhood. Today at Château-Figeac, Blandine de Brier Manoncourt is co-owner with her three sisters, their mother, and their children. In her role as general secretary of Château-Figeac, she is particularly involved in communications, legal protection, and architectural and natural heritage. She also owns with her mother a tiny vineyard in Saint-Emilion inherited from her father, Château de Millery (0.80 ha)
Frédéric Faye, General Manager and Winemaker
Frédéric Faye began his tenure at Château-Figeac in 2002. Born and raised in Bordeaux, his family originates from the Périgord region of the Dordogne. The family still possess a farming estate at Saint-Astier where his ancestors cultivated crops as early as the 18th century. He spent his childhood summer vacations in the countryside alongside cows, sheep, cereals and vine, and continues this tradition today with his own children. It was his grandfather who transmitted the passion for farming and nature to Frédéric. After attaining a Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture/Oenology at the University of Bordeaux, he was a trainee in Pomerol at Château Le Bon Pasteur, in Fronsac at Château Fontenil, and in Argentina at Yacochuya with Michel and Dany Rolland. After these experiences, he attained a master degree in agricultural engineering ENITA (now called BSA), during which he was an apprentice at Château-Figeac, first working in the cellars and then as quality control manager. He often recounts that on his first day at Château-Figeac, he cleaned all the windows of the cellar. After the completion of his studies in 2008, he was hired on permanently as the vineyard manager. Working alongside Thierry Manoncourt taught Frédéric many things about viticulture and oenology. In 2010, he was promoted to Technical Director and in 2013, to Head Winemaker and General Manager.
