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CHÂTEAU HAUT FAYAN: CUP FINALIST AT THE 2015 COUPE DES CRUS DE SAINT-EMILION
GÉRARD AND NATHALIE OPERIE PUT THEIR EXPERTISE AT THE SERVICE OF THEIR WINES, WITH ONE SLOGAN: ALWAYS DO BETTER.
Château Haut-Fayan is a regular winner of the Coupe des Crus de Saint Emilion, in the Puisseguin Saint Emilion appellation. A pattern that reflects the will to improve, at the heart of the Poitou-Opérie familial vineyard’s efforts.
2010, 2011 AND 2012, THREE HIGH-END VINTAGES
It’s another step climbed for Château Haut Fayan, in Puisseguin Saint-Emilion appellation. After a semi-final place in the last three editionsof the Coupe des Crus de Saint Emilion, this time, the “Cuvée Excellence” has risen to the final. This vintage of Château Haut Fayan deserves its name. It is made from the most beautiful grapes from old vines scratched by hand, themselves selected from specific plots. The harvested grapes are placed in barrels of 500 liters and it is gravity, reinforced by centrifugal force, which releases the juice.
Combined with a rigorous work of soils, the care given to the grapes in the winery provides “a power, a structure, a balance and a wonderful material”, explains Gérard Opérie. On soils dominated by clay, two varieties are grown: Merlot, which can express the strength of its character and Cabernet Franc, which represents a small percentage of the assembly. “This Cabernet Franc evolves marvelously at maturity, it tends to reach the same level as Merlot now, including in recent years 2010, 2011 and 2012. This brings us the liveliness and nervousness”.
CHÂTEAU HAUT FAYAN, 20 YEARS OF WORK REWARDED
Nathalie and Gérard Opérie describe themselves as “artisans of wine”. “Everything remains on a human scale. We have 7 hectares in Puisseguin. We are three to look after everything from viticulture to marketing “. For Gérard and Nathalie Opérie want to control their activity from start to finish. The sale is mainly directly, supplemented by a few negotiations. One approach that meets their values: “The passion, dedication and pleasure of sharing”. Gérard Opérie adds that “Puisseguin Saint-Emilion is a beautiful appellation, where you have to fight”
against yourself and with others. Customer satisfaction during tasting is a key driver in the château or throughout France: “When you see a smile, you know you have won”. But peer recognition also plays a very important role. “We’ve been working for 20 years and we are starting to be known a little. (…) We have made progress and it is important to be recognized among our peers. But we must always do better, apply the desire to always improve”. To attract customers and why not take the final step and win, at the next Coupe des Crus de Saint-Emilion.