Pessac-Leognan

A well-known Irish businessman and a leading figure in the business world, Lochlann Quinn has also been recognised for his involvement in philanthropic activities and his commitment to education and the arts in his country. Moreover, as a “bon viveur”, he loves good food and good wines and since 2001 he has been the owner of Château de Fieuzal, a winery in the heart of the historic cradle of Bordeaux wines, at Pessac-Léognan. It is one of Graves’ oldest and largest Grands Crus and, like the 7 previous families that have gone before, the priority is to protect as much of the highly prized terroir as possible to produce their famous elegant white wines and opulent red wines. The estate’s second wine, made in both red and white, is L'Abeille de Fieuzal. The white version is made with Semillon and Sauvignon Blancvarieties from a selection of young vines. Managed by the talented Stephen Carrier, a young winemaker who works meticulously in search of perfection, he manages to reflect the goodness of such an exceptional clay-limestone terroir. Traditional and environmentally friendly practices are used and, after being harvested by hand, the grapes are selected, destemmed and gently pressed. The resulting must undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation with native yeasts and, finally, the wine rests on its lees for 12 months in 225-litre oak barrels. Under the name “L'Abeille” which means “the bee” in French and is a tribute to the Fieuzal family emblem, L'Abeille de Fieuzal Blanc is the white version of a wine that has earned the recognition of wine lovers for its unique expression of the Pessac-Léognan terroir. A wine that, like everything under the influence of savvy owner Quinn, is sure to be a success.