Meet the team!
Every vineyard has one and ours is as diverse as our soil is. Driven by the same excitement to be part of a tough challenge, they strive to make each day in Biac a great one, in spite of all the unexpected hurdles we may face…
Without them, Biac truly wouldn’t be the same.
19, Rue de la Ruasse
33550 Langoiran
France
42, Route de Cadillac
33550 Langoiran
France
Visits by appointment preferebly
Château Biac
BP 35
33550 Langoiran
France
Youmna and Tony were born meters away from each other in Beirut… in different vintages!
Life brought them together in 1977, but due to the war in Lebanon (1975 – 1991), the path ahead was never going to be easy, with Tony going and coming from London to Beirut via rickety boats from Cyprus when the Beirut airport was closed, and Youmna holding the fort in London to raise the children.
Eventually, they discovered the beauty of the Bordeaux region during several summers spent in a lovely Chartreuse 6 km away from Biac!
However, never in their wildest dreams did they think that “retirement” would translate into owning Biac itself.
They now divide their time between Beirut, where Tony’s main office remains, and Biac, where their hearts lie.
Some would say Yasmina has crossed over to the dark side. Trained and qualified as a nutritional therapist, she’s a believer that “selling” wine is much more fun than “prohibiting” it. She now preaches the good virtues of Biac wines alongside the importance of eating and drinking in a way that nourishes mind, body and soul. Having spent eight years in the financial industry (New York, Beirut and Paris) she understands the pressures and stressors that come with fast-paced living and very much embodies the Biac solution.
Slow down. Enjoy. Taste Bordeaux in a glass.
Joined the family at the beginning of a typically enchanting London spring one year… Soon to be sandwiched between two girls, Gabriel had to show his muscles quite soon! He managed to break all records at school for swimming competitions (he is a Pisces after all!) and soon developed a fan club of adoring young ladies at a very tender age!
By the time he had graduated from Imperial College, the internet age had invaded the world. His hobby of helping “Mum’s technologically impaired friends” became a real vocation, leading him to set up his company in 2006 – Gabsit. “Gabs”, as he is known to his friends/clients, can be seen most days on his beloved motorbike, zooming around London, helping them stay connected and out of trouble!
It is extremely reassuring to know he is at the other end of the curser moving around our screens in Biac when he remotes in from London! (Especially for “Mum”).
Outside his techie life, Gabs loves food and is the custodian of his grandmother’s ice cream recipes. His smile and good humor illuminate our vineyard life when he is around, especially when he dishes out Carambar sticks to help keep spirits up during harvest!
Last but not least, Antonia is the youngest! Like her brother, she preferred to remain working in London and immediately fell into her first job at Burberry where she learned the tricks of the trade in digital marketing.
She then decided to explore bits of the world, but realized that London really was home and came back to find a place within The Business of Fashion, a rapidly expanding start up.
Antonia comes readily to Biac for a break from the city and although not involved full on with the life of the vineyard, her work experience is very handy to help the team address the marketing meanders of social networks.
We have had the immense privilege to be accompanied by Patrick Leon for our first ten vintages of red wines.
His unique experience has been imprinted in some of the finest wines internationally; making him one of the most respected wine makers in the world.
He joined Alexis Lichine & Co in 1972 as head buyer of French wines , then became technical director of the Baron Philippe de Rotschild’s imposing vineyard Portfolio including Mouton, d’Armalhiac and Clerc Milon. As part of his responsibilities , he oversaw the creation of Opus One (USA) and Almaviva (Chile).
Patrick’s unequalled natural ability doubled with a unparalleled international viticulture experience allowed him to appreciate and evaluate a terroir’s quality and potential.
Fate, in the shape of a very good mutual friend, brought us together in January 2008. Very quickly , the exciting challenge to reveal Chateau Biac ‘s unique potential and the discovery of our similar vision of life developed into a wonderful friendship.
During his many visits to the vineyard , he liked to recall how at the beginning of his professional life , whilst building up the Cadillac oenology laboratory , he would stop at the top of the hill after a long day just to enjoy Biac’s peaceful and unaltered view . Destiny made it possible for us all to be part of this amazing adventure.
It is with extreme sadness that we lost him on 11 December 2018. Patrick is one of those persons one thinks invincible and whose powerful presence is always enriching.
Thanks to him, our dreams and vision for Chateau Biac have become a reality which we are extremely proud to share now with his son and colleague, Bertrand.
BERTRAND LÉON
The apple never falls from the tree! Bertrand grew up in the orbit of the wine world where his father Patrick was the pinnacle of many stellar wine projects. He first followed his own path which took him to the French Foreign Legion and then eventually brought him back to head the family vineyard: Les Trois Croix. Working ever more closely with his father, he had become a regular visitor to Biac and naturally took over after Patrick’s untimely passing away in 2018. Bertrand embodies the reassuring heritage of past wisdom with a fresh vision for the future …
Our consultant oenologist , sweet and dry white wines
Born and bred in Barsac where her parents owned vineyards, Christine Sourdes has always been surrounded by vines…she studied oenology at the University de Bordeaux, mostly under the late Professor Denis Dubourdieu who presided the newly Faculte of Oenologie of Bordeaux and was especially famous for his knowledge of Sauvignon varietals worldwide. Christine- started her professional life in 1986 working in the Fraud Repression services under Pierre Sudreau. On his retirement, Mr Sudreau encouraged Christine to take up his famous oenology laboratory, which she did being the first woman ever to carry out this activity in the Sauternes region.
Christine’s passion for winemaking is tangible and contagious: her ability to understand and reveal a vineyard’s potential is as precise as her rigorous work ethic and …sense of humour! Under her passionate guidance and rigorous approach to winemaking, we were able to reveal Biac’s terroir amazing ability to produce a surprisingly fresh and appealing sweet wine “ Secret de Chateau Biac” quickly followed by an equally confidential and pleasing production of our dry white wine , Felicie de Biac.
She likes to repeat that for her Chateau Biac is a “unique, magical and exceptional place “ .
Gilles Rey has been involved with our vineyard almost since the beginning. Previously working with Patrick Léon (our consultant oenologist), at Mouton Rothschild for 18 years, he now applies his extensive knowledge here in Biac as well as other carefully selected vineyards across the world.
If you believe in the magical aptitudes of horse whisperers and dog whisperers, then Gilles Rey is the ultimate “soil whisperer”… One could walk the vineyard with him a thousand times and still have more to learn.
Like with all perfectionists, his expectations can sometimes be demanding! However, the very visible transformation of our vineyard since 2006 could not have taken place without him.
Veronique joined us in 2016 after a lifetime spent in plant nurseries. She is the keeper of our stocks as well as preparing the labelling of bottles and looking after the shop and tasting room. However her happy place remains the garden and she lovingly tends our rose bushes and other plants, regularly making up lovely bouquets to adorn our tables.
Joined us in 2012. Her motto “there are no problems , just solutions”..something she proves everyday looking after our guesthouses or any other hospitality aspects of Biac. Her unfailing good humour is only equal to the pride she takes in making sure all the little hooks and crannies are well oiled and our guests are comfortable.
Sebastien joined us in february 2009 on the eve of a memorable storm! This unforgettable start was quickly followed by every winemaker’s nightmare: two hailstorms in May 2009. However, that vintage proved to be stunning in the end and made up for such a bumpy welcome! His gentle manner , natural curiosity makes him a hit with our harvest interns . Sebastien pours his good nature, kindness and generous passion into every vintage which is forever embedded with his good vibes.
Cyrille joined us in 2014. Having spent 17 years serving in the Foreign Legion, he conquered our big machines (tractors and enjambeurs) which he impressively manoeuvres around our tasking terrain. Cyrille brought with him the Legion’s esprit de corps and motto: “Honneur et Fidelite”; he takes great pride in keeping the Legion’s principles of esprit de corps and rigor to his work in the vineyard.
