Winemaker

André Chatonnet

Discipline: Winemaker
Venue: Château La Sergue · Winery

Portrait of André Chatonnet

i. Biography

André Chatonnet works a five-hectare estate in Néac, France, where the higher parcels of gravel and clay set the terms for the wines. At Château La Sergue, the scale is small enough that each parcel reads clearly in the glass: red wines built for structure and nuance, with a restrained profile and a finished hand. The property’s identity is compact, but not simple; its character comes from the way site, variety, and management are kept in line.

The Path

Owner and co-manager is the role that defines André Chatonnet at Château La Sergue, and it requires both oversight and daily attention. In Néac, that kind of work is tied directly to the land, because the estate’s higher parcels carry the gravel-and-clay mix that gives the wines their shape. With only five hectares to manage, the emphasis falls on precision and restraint rather than scale. André Chatonnet’s position is to keep that framework coherent, so the site can speak without being dressed up.

The Work Today

Red wine is the estate’s focus today, made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec. At Château La Sergue, those four varieties form a practical and expressive core: Merlot supplies the red-fruited center, while Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec add outline and depth. The vineyard’s compact size matters here. Five hectares in Néac, with the higher parcels marked by gravel and clay, means the work depends on close reading of the site rather than breadth of land. The result is a style built from clear parcels and disciplined choices.

Career - Owner and co-manager — Château La Sergue, Néac, France

Signature

Château La Sergue 1997 is one of André Chatonnet’s named signature wines. In trade terms, it marks the estate’s approach in bottle: red, expressive, and tied to the specific textures of Néac. As a reference point, it sits within the line of wines that define Château La Sergue’s identity.

Acclaim

The recognition here is the role itself: owner and co-manager of Château La Sergue. For André Chatonnet, that title carries the practical weight of running the estate and the wines together, with the property’s character anchored in the site rather than in scale.

FAQ What is André Chatonnet's current role? As of 2026, André Chatonnet is Owner and co-manager. What is André Chatonnet known for? The estate produces expressive red wines from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec on gravel-and-clay terroirs in the higher parts of the five-hectare property.