LET’S TALK – EP. 12 – CHÂTEAU AUSONE: THE EXCELLENCE OF SAINT-ÉMILION THROUGH HISTORY, EMOTION, AND LEGACY
Château Ausone is one of the most prestigious estates in Saint-Émilion. In this episode of Let’s Talk, Constance Vauthier shares the history, values, and secrets that have made this exceptional property renowned around the world.
In this episode of Let’s Talk, our series of intimate conversations dedicated to the leading figures of the Bordeaux wine world, Sébastien Moses sits down with Constance Vauthier to discuss one of Saint-Émilion’s most legendary estates: Château Ausone.
Among Bordeaux’s most iconic properties, Ausone holds a unique position. As a Premier Grand Cru Classé A of Saint-Émilion, the estate captivates wine lovers not only through the excellence of its wines but also through its extraordinary history. For more than three centuries, the same family has cared for this exceptional terroir, perched on the limestone slopes overlooking the medieval town.
Through a spontaneous and sincere conversation, Constance Vauthier shares her vision of an estate where history is never static. Between family heritage, a relentless pursuit of quality, and a constant desire to improve, she explains what defines Ausone today: a subtle balance between respect for tradition and a forward-looking mindset.
Throughout the discussion, themes of legacy, passion, and the mysterious places that contribute to the estate’s legend emerge. From the underground quarries to historical archives documenting the value of Ausone’s grapes as early as the 17th century, each story reveals a new facet of this extraordinary property.
The conversation also highlights the deeply human dimension behind one of the world’s greatest wines. Beyond prestige and international recognition, Château Ausone remains above all a family adventure, guided by patience, commitment, and the constant pursuit of excellence.
With this episode, we continue our mission: to give a voice to the great estates and the men and women who bring them to life, helping us better understand exceptional terroirs and the stories that shape Bordeaux’s finest wines.
Château Ausone: Where History Meets Emotion
Sébastien Moses: If you had to describe the estate in three words?
Constance Vauthier: History, emotion, and balance.
With these three words, Constance Vauthier perfectly captures the essence of Château Ausone. Few wine estates in the world can claim such a strong connection between family history, terroir, and identity.
History is everywhere at Ausone. For centuries, the estate has dominated the limestone slopes of Saint-Émilion and contributed to the story of Bordeaux’s greatest wines. This historical depth can be felt throughout the landscapes, buildings, and underground quarries that make up the property.
Emotion also plays a central role. Every morning, as she walks through the vineyard slopes, Constance Vauthier experiences the unique feeling that comes from being in a place steeped in history. This emotional connection goes far beyond wine production—it reflects a deep attachment to the land and to a family story.
Finally, balance serves as the guiding principle behind all the work carried out at Ausone. Balance in the vineyard, balance in the blends, and balance in the wines themselves. This constant pursuit lies at the heart of the estate’s philosophy and contributes to the uniqueness of its style.
A Family Story Spanning Centuries
Sébastien Moses: The Vauthier family—is it truly a family story?
Constance Vauthier: Absolutely. We have been here since 1690, and despite the generations that have followed one another, it is still the same family.
Family succession is one of the cornerstones of Château Ausone’s identity. For more than three hundred years, successive generations have guided the evolution of the estate while preserving its unique character.
This continuity is a true exception in the Bordeaux wine landscape. It allows the estate to embrace a long-term vision, where decisions are guided by respect for the terroir and a commitment to passing on an intact heritage to future generations.
For the Vauthier family, Ausone is not merely a vineyard or a business. The château is an integral part of their personal history. Over the decades, an inseparable bond has developed between the family and the property, each helping to shape the identity of the other.
This family stability also contributes to the consistent quality of the wines. It enables the estate to maintain a coherent vision while continuing to evolve.
A Career Change Driven by Passion
Sébastien Moses: Do you remember your first day at the estate?
Before joining the family estate, Constance Vauthier worked as a veterinarian. Her arrival at the property in 2020 marked a significant life change and the beginning of a new personal chapter.
She particularly recalls a memorable moment during harvest. As she was presented with a sample from the first fermenting tank, she experienced firsthand the magic of grapes being transformed into wine.
That memory remains deeply etched in her mind. At that precise moment, she realized she had found her place within the family adventure.
This story also reminds us that behind every great wine lies an emotion. Before becoming a finished product, wine is a living substance that is constantly evolving and demands observation, patience, and humility.
A Motto That Captures the Spirit of Ausone
Sébastien Moses: If Château Ausone had an unofficial motto, what would it be?
Constance Vauthier: Nature lays the foundation, but with a little effort, you can reach the exceptional.
This simple phrase perfectly summarizes the estate’s philosophy.
Ausone’s exceptional terroir provides the starting point. The limestone soils, vineyard exposures, and geological richness of the site create ideal conditions for producing great wines.
Yet quality never relies solely on nature. It is also the result of the daily work carried out by the teams who care for the vineyard throughout the year.
At Ausone, excellence is born from the meeting of a unique terroir and an unwavering commitment to quality. Every detail matters, from vineyard management to decisions made during winemaking and aging.
This constant search for precision allows the estate to continue improving while remaining true to its historic identity.
Château Ausone: A Great Wine to Enjoy Simply
Sébastien Moses: What is an unexpected but delicious food pairing with Château Ausone?
Constance Vauthier: A good pizza.
This surprising answer highlights an often-forgotten truth: great wines are meant to be shared.
Often associated with fine dining or special occasions, great wines can also accompany much simpler and more spontaneous moments.
Through this example, Constance Vauthier advocates for a relaxed approach to wine appreciation. The pleasure of wine does not necessarily depend on the prestige of the meal but on the quality of the moment shared.
This perspective reflects a broader trend in the wine world: making great wines more emotionally accessible and encouraging enjoyment based on pleasure rather than ceremony.
Ausone’s Quarries: A Hidden World Beneath the Estate
Sébastien Moses: What is the most secret place on the property?
Beneath Ausone’s vineyards lies a world largely unknown to the public.
The estate rests above an extensive network of underground limestone quarries. These historic galleries bear witness to centuries of history and contribute to the château’s unique identity.
Among the most fascinating locations is a natural underground pool fed by water rising from deep within the site.
In near-total darkness, surrounded by silence and the cool atmosphere of the quarries, this hidden cavity offers an unexpected spectacle. A true hidden treasure of the estate, it reflects the extraordinary heritage of Ausone.
These underground spaces play a central role in the château’s legend and contribute to its almost timeless character.
A History That Predates Modern Classifications
Sébastien Moses: What is the most surprising thing that few people know about Château Ausone?
The estate’s historical archives still hold many surprises today.
Constance Vauthier mentions documents dating back to the early 17th century that confirm the presence of white grape varieties on the property.
Even more remarkably, these archives refer to an individual whose responsibility was to guard the grapes day and night before harvest in order to prevent theft.
This anecdote illustrates the value already attributed to Ausone’s grapes long before the creation of modern wine classifications.
It also reminds us that the estate’s reputation was built gradually over centuries through the consistent quality of its terroir and wines.
Life at the Château: Guided by Nature
Despite its international prestige, Château Ausone remains, above all, an agricultural property.
Daily life at the estate is shaped by the vineyard and by the weather. Each season brings its own challenges, decisions, and uncertainties.
From budbreak to harvest, the teams adapt their work to natural conditions in order to support the vineyard’s development as effectively as possible.
This constant proximity to nature demands humility and patience. It serves as a reminder that, despite all technological progress, wine remains above all the product of a vintage and a living environment.
At Ausone, this relationship with time and the elements is an integral part of the estate’s identity.
Continuing to Improve Generation After Generation
Sébastien Moses: What project is particularly close to your heart?
For Constance Vauthier, the priority is clear: to continue the work initiated by previous generations and to keep improving the quality of the wines.
This ambition reflects the mindset that has driven the estate for decades.
At Ausone, excellence is never considered an achievement that can simply be preserved. Each vintage represents a new opportunity to learn, improve, and deepen the understanding of the terroir.
This culture of constant self-improvement helps maintain the estate’s position among the world’s leading wine references.
It also demonstrates the respect shown for the legacy handed down by previous generations.
Conclusion: Château Ausone, the Union of Heritage, Excellence, and Emotion
Through this episode of Let’s Talk, Château Ausone emerges as far more than a Premier Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion.
The estate embodies a vision of wine rooted in family legacy, fidelity to terroir, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Behind the château’s international reputation lies a deeply human property, driven by women and men who dedicate their energy to revealing the very best of this exceptional terroir each year.
Through Constance Vauthier’s words, we discover a property where history is never a burden but a source of inspiration. A place where every generation receives a precious heritage with the responsibility to preserve it and help it progress.
Ultimately, this conversation reminds us that the world’s greatest wines are not simply the product of remarkable terroirs. They are also the result of a human adventure built on passion, legacy, patience, and emotion.
Château Ausone perfectly embodies this rare combination of history, rigor, and respect for time that defines the greatness of Bordeaux’s finest wines.
Watch the conversation between Sébastien Moses et Constance Vauthier.
