First memories at Château Léoville Poyferré
“Do you remember your first day at the estate?”
Sara Lecompte Cuvelier recalls a vivid moment from the very beginning of her journey at Château Léoville Poyferré. She remembers walking from one building to another at the estate and closing the shutters, suddenly realizing the responsibility that came with her new role. At that moment, she felt both pride and a sense of pressure. Managing such a remarkable Bordeaux estate meant embracing a mission: preserving the reputation and excellence of one of Saint-Julien’s most respected wines.
Discovering the human side of the estate
“What was your first impression of the property?”
Another memory comes from the tasting room, where messages left on the walls by visitors from around the world immediately caught their attention. Reading these notes gave a new dimension to the estate: Léoville Poyferré appeared not only as a prestigious Bordeaux château but also as a welcoming and human place, open to wine lovers and visitors. From the very beginning, the atmosphere of the estate conveyed warmth, authenticity and a strong sense of hospitality.
Where to drink Léoville Poyferré: from Bordeaux to Seoul
“What would be an extraordinary place to taste Léoville Poyferré?”
Pauline imagines a surprising setting far from Bordeaux: a restaurant located in a traditional hanok in Seoul, South Korea. There, a glass of Léoville Poyferré could accompany a Korean barbecue and cold noodles, creating a memorable culinary pairing between Bordeaux wine and Korean gastronomy.
Sara Lecompte Cuvelier suggests a different but equally evocative setting closer to home: a small fishing hut along the Gironde estuary, or perhaps an old wooden boat floating on the Garonne River in Bordeaux, between the Pont de Pierre and the Pont Chaban-Delmas. Whether in Asia or in the heart of Bordeaux, what truly matters is enjoying the wine in a relaxed atmosphere and sharing the moment.
Music or silence: how to enjoy Léoville Poyferré
“Should Léoville Poyferré be tasted with music or in silence?”
For Sara Lecompte Cuvelier, the answer is clear: with music. She imagines something lively and cheerful that reflects the estate’s vibrant personality. Inspired by the yellow color of the label, she even mentions the iconic song “Yellow Submarine.” A dynamic, upbeat soundtrack seems perfectly aligned with the spirit of the estate — energetic, expressive and full of life.
The driving force behind the estate
“What motivates you every day?”
For Sara, the greatest motivation comes from the people who work at the estate. Château Léoville Poyferré employs around 57 people, while Château Le Crock, another property managed by the team, counts 16 employees. Creating a positive working environment and maintaining motivated teams is essential. Producing great Bordeaux wine, meeting wine lovers around the world and promoting the estate internationally are all important objectives but ensuring that the team feels engaged and fulfilled remains the true driving force.
If Château Léoville Poyferré had a motto
“If Léoville Poyferré had an unofficial motto, what would it be?”
The answer comes naturally: precision, always precision. At Léoville Poyferré, the pursuit of excellence lies in attention to detail. From vineyard management to winemaking, nothing is left to chance. Every decision aims to achieve the highest quality, reflecting the philosophy that great Bordeaux wines are built through meticulous work and constant refinement.
The origin of the name Léoville Poyferré
“Why is the estate called Léoville Poyferré?”
The name dates to the history of one of the largest estates in the Médoc during the 18th century, known simply as Léoville. Over time, inheritance divisions led to the creation of three separate estates. One of the heirs married Baron de Poyferré, and the wine produced on that portion of the vineyard took the name Léoville Poyferré. Today, the name pays tribute to both the estate’s historical roots and the evolution of the Bordeaux vineyard landscape.
Twins and Leoville Poyferre: a shared vision of wine and entrepreneurship
“How would you describe TWINS?”
Sara Lecompte Cuvelier describes the company as pioneering. There is a strong sense of energy and forward-thinking vision, combined with an international outlook. The company has built a powerful presence on global markets, particularly in the United States and North America, reflecting the growing global appeal of Bordeaux wines such as Léoville Poyferré.
A family adventure in the Bordeaux vineyard
“What defines the spirit behind Léoville Poyferré?”
Beyond its international reputation, Léoville Poyferré remains a family-driven adventure rooted in human values. Like many great Bordeaux estates, its identity is built on a balance between heritage and innovation. The estate combines tradition, precision and teamwork, creating wines that reflect both the richness of the Saint-Julien terroir and the passion of the people behind them.
Léoville Poyferré, a benchmark wine of Saint-Julien
“What makes Léoville Poyferré such a remarkable Bordeaux wine?”
Château Léoville Poyferré embodies the elegance and power that define the great wines of Saint-Julien in Bordeaux. Its identity rests on a unique combination of historic terroir, meticulous winemaking and a strong human dimension.
Through this conversation between Sara Lecompte Cuvelier and Pauline Lagarrigue, one idea stands out clearly: producing a great wine is always a collective effort. From the vineyard to the cellar, from the team to the global wine lovers who open a bottle, Léoville Poyferré represents more than a prestigious Bordeaux label — it is a living story shaped by passion, precision and people.
Today, this iconic estate continues to write new chapters in the history of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé wines, sharing the character of Saint-Julien with wine enthusiasts around the world.
Watch the discussion between Sara Lecompte Cuvelier and Pauline Lagarrigue
Wine is (also) feminine.
Following in the footsteps of Sara Lecompte Cuvelier, many women are defining the character of prestigious estates today. Let’s discover the Face to Face with Véronique Sanders, Director of Château Haut-Bailly (Pessac Leognan) and Anthony Moses, in video.
