Nicolas Thienpont

Nicolas Thienpont’s father George, one of the ‘great Flemish tribe’ bought Chateau Puygueraud in 1946. His father, also called Georges, was a wine negociant following in a century old family tradition.

Nicolas Thienpont’s other sites
Château Pavie Macquin
Château Larcis Ducasse
Château Bellevue
Château Les Charmes Godard
Château Puygueraud
Château La Prade
This tradition continued with the purchase of Chateau Troplong Mondot in 1920 followed by Chateau Vieux Chateau in Pomerol in 1924. The latter remains in family hands to this day.

Nicolas, fourth in a family of thirteen, did not seem destined for a career in viticulture. After studies in law and philosophy, and a small detour into teaching, he strayed into the metal industry (personnel management) in Provence.

Disheartened by the paper-work, he returned in the early 1980s to the family farm where cereals, cattle, soya, plums and kiwis were the order of the day. In 1983, he undertook his first vinification at Chateau Puygueraud and from 1985 he assisted his cousin Alexandre in the management of Vieux Chateau Certan. At the end of 1994, the Corre-Macquin family asked him to take over from Maryse Barre at the helm of Grand Cru Classé, Chateau Pavie Macquin.

In 2000, the Pradel de Lavaux and de Conink families, owners of Chateau Bellevue (also a Grand Cru Classé) took the decision to name Nicolas as director of the property.

Finally, in 2002, Jacques-Olivier Gratiot, appointed Nicolas as manager of Larcis Ducasse, taking over at the head of this exceptional property.

It is this chain of events that allows Nicolas Thienpont to “wander” with pleasure through the diverse expressions of quality that make up the wines of the Right Bank.