Place
Southold farms and makes wine in Francs, a small hillside appellation on the eastern edge of Bordeaux, approximately 10 km east of Saint-Émilion.
The vineyards sit at higher elevation than much of the Right Bank, with limestone-dominant soils, varied slopes, and cooler air flow. Harvest here typically occurs later than in Saint-Émilion, with conditions that favor freshness, clarity, and moderate alcohol over weight or extraction.
Francs remains largely agricultural in character: small estates, no large cooperatives, and a landscape shaped more by farming than by classification.
Vineyard & Farming
The current estate comprises approximately 6.4 hectares under vine.
The core of the vineyard is planted to old-vine Merlot, with parcels dating back more than 60 years. These blocks are being maintained and selectively reworked through interplanting rather than wholesale replanting.
Alongside Merlot, the estate includes:
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (recently grafted),
and parcels in preparation for Chenin Blanc, Savagnin and Xarel·lo coming into production between 2027 and 2029.
Farming follows organic and regenerative principles in practice, without a focus on certification. Cover crops, soil health, biodiversity corridors, and reduced mechanical intervention are prioritized. Vineyard decisions are made with the aim of long-term balance and adaptability rather than short-term yield.
Cellar Practices
Winemaking is guided by restraint and continuity from vineyard to cellar.
Fermentations are native and closely monitored. Reds are largely fermented with whole clusters, adjusted parcel by parcel based on condition and structure.
Élevage takes place primarily in neutral barrels of varying sizes, with additional use of concrete and stainless steel. New oak is avoided. Sulfur is used sparingly and pragmatically to support stability and longevity.
Wines are bottled without fining or filtration when conditions allow.
Scale & Intent
Production remains intentionally small mainly due to surface area. 2025 production: approximately 1,000 cases
Wines & Access
The wines are organized around role, not hierarchy.
Foundational wines are intended to introduce the place and the approach, while smaller parcel-driven bottlings explore specific sites and conditions within the estate. Blending is approached with the aim of preserving distinction rather than building toward a single flagship wine.
Releases are allocation-based, with small windows and limited quantities. Access is prioritized through the mailing list and through selected trade partners.
There is no public tasting room. Visits to the vineyard and cellar are available by request.