The estate
Château Léognan

Discover the estate

A heritage
shaped by centuries

The Château Léognan of today, a veritable showcase of charm and serenityis merely the heir to a long and fascinating history, shaped over the centuries. Behind its majestic walls and bucolic landscapes lies a rich winegrowing past, marked by the many families of wine merchants who have succeeded one another, each bringing their own passion and know-how. These dynasties have slowly transformed the estate from the nerve centre of winegrowing to the oasis of tranquillity and refinement it is today. Every corner of the château, every vineyard, bears the imprint of this heritage, where tradition and modernity meet to offer a unique experience.

The farmhouse :
witness to religious origins

The farmhouse at the entrance to the estate, which today houses the reception and shop, is the oldest vestige of the estate. Built in the 17th century, it was once the residence of the Saint-Jean monks, who raised sheep here.

The 19th century revival: the Seurin family

In the 19th century, the property was acquired by Mathieu Seurin, a prosperous shipowner, and his wife Emma. They had the château built with its imposing towers, and lived in a neighbouring pavilion while the work was being carried out. This pavilion, now known as the Pavillon Seurin, was later linked to the château. They also converted the Orangerie, which today houses the boudoir and Winter Garden at Château Léognan.

Shortly after the towers were completed, Mathieu Seurin died. In tribute to her husband, Emma, who was deeply in love with him, had the Saint-Mathieu chapel built near the château. As was the custom at the time, Emma's face was sculpted in stone and still adorns the back of the chapel, an imprint that has withstood the test of time and remains visible today.

The rediscovery
of the Saint-Mathieu chapel

In 2009, one of the daughters of the Miecaze couple (now co-owners of Château Léognan) wanted to get married on the estate and use the chapel for her wedding. After contacting the parish priest, she received a disappointing reply: the chapel could not be used for a religious service. All private chapels had been deconsecrated after the Second World War.

Nevertheless, intrigued by this chapel, which he knew nothing about, the priest decided to visit it to find out more. During his visit, he was astonished to discover the presence of the consecration stone. Lifting it, he revealed the relic hidden inside: Emma's letter to Saint-Mathieu. He was stunned by this unexpected discovery.

The chapel was consecrated on 28 July 1897 by the Bishop of Bordeaux. It is one of the few private chapels still consecrated, thanks to the meticulous preservation of a consecration stone inside the building. This stone contains a relic in the form of a love letter from Emma Seurin to Saint-Mathieu
The chapel is still open for weddings and other ceremonies

An equestrian tradition
still alive

The estate's former stables bear witness to a time when the estate was geared more towards breeding and equestrian competition than winegrowing. The stables housed fifty stalls, and the estate's horses took part in numerous international competitions. Next to the stables was a hay barn and a round pen, which in 2015 became Le Manège restaurant.

Chantal Miecaze, who has owned the Château alongside Philippe since 2007, shares this passion for horses, and has several equines herself enjoying a happy life in the grounds of Château Léognan.

A meeting
and a shared dream

Philippe and Chantal Miecaze, originally from Paris, met in Bordeaux in 1975. After setting up medical imaging companies together, they seized the opportunity presented by digital technology to sell their business in 2006 and realise their dream of buying a wine estate in Bordeaux. Philippe was passionate about the terroir of Bordeaux, and had already been involved in the local wine world, nurturing this dream for years. Chantal, with her extensive knowledge of the terroirs, turned her attention to the Pessac-Léognan appellation. During her search, she discovered a charming château, which they visited and immediately chose as their future estate.

The acquisition of the estate
and the first challenges

The 6-hectare vineyard, leased from a neighbouring Grand Cru Classé, needed to be completely developed. This challenge was taken up by Philippe and Chantal Miecaze, who, after a 20-minute meeting, bought the estate in July 2007. They had to recruit quickly, build the winery and install the infrastructure. The stainless steel vats arrived just before the harvest.

After a year divided between Paris and the wine project, the Miecaze family settled permanently at Château Léognan in 2008. The next three years were devoted to renovating the estate.

A strong identity
and a new dynamic

Since 2023, Philippe and Chantal have been associated with the BMF Hospitality group, a family investor founded in 2007 and managed and owned by its founders Fabien and Michaël Bertini. BMF Hospitality is contributing its expertise to breathe new life into this remarkable site by adding the hotel and spa.