Rencontre with Constance et Edouard Vauthier
From the sister-and-brother duo of Constance and Edouard emerges an undeniable alchemy, a sibling bond marked by enthusiasm and energy, where both have a specific goal while sharing the same purpose: to preserve and elevate the Ausone Spirit, upheld by the Vauthier family since 1690.
The l’Esprit Ausone unites six emblematic estates, all located in Saint-Émilion and managed by a single team: Château Ausone with its Chapelle d’Ausone, Château La Clotte, Château Moulin Saint-Georges, Château de Fonbel, Château Simard, and Château Haut-Simard.
Rooted in an unwavering heritage of over 1,600 years, dating back to the poems of Ausonius in the sixth century, they pursue their path with independence, the exceptional terroirs are the very essence of excellence
Discreet yet determined, they surround themselves with talent and embrace innovation to navigate the challenges of nature and market fluctuations, guided by an uncompromising rigor and passion where nothing is left to chance.
You both took different paths before returning to the family estates. How do these experiences shape your daily work?
Constance: When I entered my preparatory class, I had to choose between a career in agronomy or veterinary medicine. I opted for veterinary studies, specializing in equine care, particularly in the world of racehorses, where competition and financial stakes are high. Returning to the vineyard, I rediscovered a connection to the living world, but without the constant pressure. My previous professional experience taught me scientific rigor and, above all, adaptability: every situation is unique and requires a quick response. This mindset applies perfectly to viticulture, where decisions must be made based on multiple factors, often without delay, while maintaining a long-term perspective.
Édouard: After business school, I considered pursuing technical training, but life had other plans. I followed my wife, Camille, to Asia, first to the Philippines and then to Shanghai. There, I joined wine importers and distributors, working at the very end of the supply chain, in direct contact with final consumers. This experience gave me a hands-on understanding of Bordeaux wine distribution and other regions, allowing me to develop market analysis skills and sales strategies. Upon returning to France, my sister Pauline was already managing the technical aspects of the estate, so I naturally took charge of sales and relationships with négociants. Today, with Constance, we form a duo with complementary expertise: I oversee distribution and commercial strategy, while all technical decisions are made together.
What was your mindset when you arrived?
Édouard: When I returned to France in May 2019, I joined the team immediately with great enthusiasm. I was happy to be back and to contribute, especially in an environment where the commercial side was highly fragmented due to global distribution.
Constance: In August 2020, I was full of energy and determined to turn the page on my veterinary career. Alongside my training in viticulture and oenology, I immersed myself in managing legal and administrative matters. For two years, I was presented with challenges that needed solutions. It was stimulating, especially when I could see real progress being made.
How is the work structured today within the family and with the existing teams?
Édouard: I’m not sure if everyone was thrilled to see us arrive, but they were reassured that the family spirit remained intact. We took the time to listen to the team, understand their challenges, and work together to find solutions. Trust developed naturally. We established our future goals, and now everyone is moving in the same direction: striving for excellence in our wines.
Constance: I had some apprehensions, particularly about my legitimacy. In the end, we were very well received. Thierry, our cellar master, remembered me as a child, skating around the vats, and Édouard flying kites in front of the Simard cellar. These memories created a reassuring sense of continuity for the team.
What are the current and future challenges?
Constance: Our challenges are numerous: innovating, adapting to climate change, reducing our environmental impact while maintaining a high standard in our wines. Each vintage requires a series of decisions and adjustments. We continuously analyse our work to improve.
Our father provides us with invaluable experience and insights. He helps us avoid pitfalls and save time. Viticulture follows a very different timeline compared to veterinary medicine. Here, we sometimes implement processes whose results won’t be visible for several years. Learning to adapt to the rhythm of the vine is essential.
You recently brought all the estates together under "L'esprit Ausone": what does this heritage represent?
Constance: The unity is natural, as Édouard and I jointly manage the six estates, all located in Saint-Émilion, and we work across them in a transversal way.
Édouard: This heritage is a privilege. We are responsible for a vineyard that stands among the great names of Bordeaux. It is built on a savoir-faire we have inherited from our father and our team, as well as technological advancements that allow us to perfect our wines. Château Ausone remains the ultimate benchmark, where every detail is treated with the precision of a master craftsman.
Our mission is to enhance this exceptional legacy. I think about it every day: we are the eleventh generation, and we are already working for the next one. We have forty years ahead of us to refine all the vineyards of L’esprit Ausone, and I am convinced that we will achieve this long before then!
L’esprit Ausone is also a commitment to preserving the identity of each estate. We have chosen not to modify the size of the parcels, even though this means managing seven distinct cuvées.
What do you believe is the strength of L’esprit Ausone?
Constance: Its strength lies in a history that has continued for eleven generations of winemakers. Of course, Château Ausone is the cornerstone, but it is the entirety of our vineyards that embodies this vision of excellence and dedication. We are part of this continuity, always striving to go further.
Édouard: L’esprit Ausone is the embodiment of the great limestone hillside terroirs, combined with the humility of working with younger vines. This demands constant self-questioning, keeping our feet firmly on the ground, and maintaining absolute rigor.
How would you define each of the estates?
Château Ausone
Édouard: A terroir on the verge of the supernatural, producing wines of incredible density and complexity. A unique balance between limestone soil, ideal exposure, and our family’s savoir-faire.
Chapelle d’Ausone
Édouard: Chapelle d’Ausone is an exclusive cuvée, crafted with the same precision and expertise as Château Ausone’s grand vin. It is made primarily from the estate’s younger vines, around 15 years old, which are east-facing, as well as from the upper section of the asteriated limestone-clay slopes at the southern entrance of Saint-Émilion. With its velvety texture, Chapelle d’Ausone offers an elegance that can be enjoyed in its youth while reflecting the soul and signature of Château Ausone.
Château La Clotte
Constance: Acquired in 2014, this estate sits on a stunning south-facing limestone hillside. We replanted one plot using vines that have proven their worth on neighboring terroirs. This cru is evolving rapidly, and we have great ambitions for its future. Its unique feature? A winemaking and aging cellar built into the underground quarries. This technically challenging decision, made in 2018, quickly proved to be the right one. Since then, our understanding of the terroir has deepened, allowing us to harvest at optimal ripeness and vinify by sector, just as we do at Château Ausone. Since the 2020 vintage, its quality has become increasingly evident, showcasing the best of its terroir. A rare and precious hidden gem.
Château Moulin Saint-Georges
Édouard: A deeply personal cru. Camille, my wife, and I met over the 2001 vintage, and we’ve been inseparable ever since! This vineyard, situated on clay-limestone slopes at the same altitude as Château Ausone, sits just across from it. The team is the same, with the same cellar and vineyard masters. Dominated by Merlot, this wine is round, generous, and charming, while also being more accessible in price.
Château de Fonbel & Château Simard
Constance: These estates are at the heart of our ongoing reflections, with 80% of the work focused on vineyard management. Their terroirs, more vulnerable to climatic risks (frost, disease), require meticulous leaf management, crop load management, and soil maintenance, vintage after vintage. We apply the same methods used on our grand terroirs while also using Fonbel as an experimental ground, particularly for grape varieties. The Cabernet Sauvignon planted here by our father and Pauline is an invaluable source of knowledge, allowing us to anticipate climate shifts and make informed decisions for the future.
Our mission is to enhance this exceptional legacy. I think about it every day: we are the eleventh generation, and we are already working for the next one.
What amazes you most about the estate?
Constance: The sunrise at Château Ausone is a magical moment. It creates a unique atmosphere that instantly connects you to nature and the history of the estate.
Édouard: When the fog from the Dordogne rolls into the Fongaban valley, you feel like you’re standing on top of the world when you arrive at the office. It’s a striking image that reminds you of the beauty and significance of this terroir.
From your time managing this historic estate, what would you like people to remember?
Édouard: I don’t want to leave a personal mark, but rather ensure that the quality of the vintages we produce will be recognized 60 or 80 years from now. I’d like to pass down a vineyard and microclimate in excellent health, an environment where future generations can continue to thrive.
What are your upcoming construction projects?
Constance: We have a dedicated team of six people for construction work, including five stonemasons. After focusing our efforts on Château La Clotte, improving the technical aspects of the cellar within the underground quarries and optimizing the vineyard, we are now beginning the restoration of the semi-troglodyte house at the entrance of the winery. This space will be transformed into a tasting room. The project, initiated in 2022, is expected to be completed by 2028, allowing us to welcome guests in a unique setting.
Édouard: This new space is essential for us. It’s important to remember that Château Ausone is, above all, a working estate, but also our parents’ home. Visits remain a priority for us, and they are always conducted by a family member, ensuring a direct and authentic connection.
How do you approach the coming years? What challenges do you face?
Édouard: We look to the future with a sense of calm, which I believe is essential. It’s true that we are facing a global wine industry crisis, and adjustments are necessary both in production and consumption. We have always placed our trust in the négociants, carefully choosing reliable partners, and this approach has worked well. As for the vineyard, I remain confident. The vines are well maintained, the teams are highly motivated, and the wines are excellent. Our responsibility is to safeguard the potential of our terroir and vines while crafting the best possible wines each vintage, ensuring that our expertise is passed down to future generations.
What has been the most difficult decision you've had to make?
Constance: Changing careers was a tough decision, but it has turned out to be a great source of fulfillment.
Édouard: The transition to organic farming across all our vineyards was a major and crucial decision, made by Pauline in 2020. I was already at the estate at the time, and this shift continues to demand a great deal of our attention today. It’s a constant but rewarding challenge.
Which winemakers inspire you?
Édouard: The Guinaudeau family is a major source of inspiration. Their work in the vineyard, the refinement of their commercial strategy, and the reorganization of their estates are truly remarkable.
What is your most memorable moment?
Constance: Those little moments of epiphany during harvest, when everything is running perfectly, the team is in sync, and you feel completely connected to the landscape. Those moments are special.
Édouard: One of my fondest memories is welcoming Prince Albert of Monaco to our home. We tasted Château Ausone 2009 and 2010, it was an exceptional moment, truly unique and unforgettable.
Stream of consciousness
Constance / Edouard :
Music: John Lennon / I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Creedence Clearwater Revival
A signature dish: Grilled duck breast / Roast chicken
A celebrity or person you’d dream of dining with: Nelson Mandela / My great-grandmother
Which bottle would you choose for this dinner?
Vega Sicilia Unico 1998 / Château Ausone 2022
A dream destination: Patagonia for hiking / Napa Valley, California
A belief or mantra:
“I think about the worst-case scenario to ward off bad luck.” / “This seems like the best option, so just go for it!”
A bad habit: Procrastination (laughs). It must be something in our genes.
A simple pleasure: Being surrounded by smiling, positive people / Time spent with my children.
Propos recueillis par Marie-Pierre Dardouillet, Cépages communication pour Vignobles et Châteaux
Photos : Sarah Arnould & Marie-Pierre Dardouillet
Illustration : Briddie O’Byrne