Vieux Château Certan was acquired in 1924 by Georges Thienpont and became one of the jewels in the family’s crown.
George (without the s), Georges’ son, settled in a 15th-century property atop the village of Saint-Cibard with his wife Monica. This was Château Puygueraud, which would become a haven for their thirteen children.
François Thienpont founded Wings as a way of standing on his own two feet. The company became a recipient of a Grand Cru allocation, and markets the family’s wines.
Belgian cousin Jacques acquired just a hectare and a half of land in Pomerol, and worked with Alexandre to create a small-scale wine. Le Pin was born. The estate would become a standard-bearer for the appellation over the course of just a few years.
A long history of family winemaking was beginning. Camille Thienpont founded a wine trading company in Hof te Cattebeke in the Flemish Ardennes.
Georges Thienpont established a foothold in the wine region by buying Château Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion. The estate would later be sold in the 1930s. Georges is François’ grandfather.
After studying winemaking and commerce, François left his native Bordeaux for the USA where he remained for four years, and presented the still-unknown Le Pin to Robert Parker.
François Thienpont’s brother Nicolas was behind the first vintage of Château Puygueraud, establishing himself as an outstanding winemaker. Today, Nicolas looks after Château Les Charmes Godard and Château La Prade, and manages a portfolio of prestigious right-bank estates including Chateaux Pavie Macquin and Larcis Ducasse.
Alexandre succeeded his father at the helm of Vieux Château Certan. He continued his pursuit of excellence, minimising interventions and striving to take a back seat to the vintage’s particular story and the terroir’s natural characteristics. He now runs the estate with his son Guillaume.
Jacques embarked on a new adventure by buying eight hectares at the top of the Saint-Emilion limestone plateau. After Le Pin, he named his new estate L’If. 2011 was its first vintage.