Lestonnat is a family owned wine business. Joost and Miguela de Villebois are the proud owners. The name Lestonnat has a special connotation. It refers to the beautiful place where the dream of starting an own wine domaine in the Bordeaux was born.

In the Bordeaux region the concept of terroir plays a pivotal role in wine production with the top estates aiming to make terroir driven wines that reflect the place they are from, often from grapes collected from a single vineyard. The soil of Bordeaux is composed of gravel, sandy stone, and clay. The region’s best vineyards are located on the well-drained gravel soils that are frequently found near the Gironde river.

Throughout the year, the vineyards are managed in a tradional way. They are tended to with respect of the environment. In July canopy management is practised through selective leaf plucking. By removing the oldest leaves at the base of the shoots, we allow the sunlight into the vines!

In August immature grape bunches are selectively removed. This green harvest (vendange verte) is a relatively modern practice used to produce fine wine. Removing the tiny, immature grapes induces the vine to put all its energy into developing the remaining grapes. This results in better ripening and the development of more numerous and mature flavour compounds. In the absence of a green harvest, a healthy, vigorous vine can produce dilute, unripe grapes.

When the grapes arrive at the winery, they are crushed in a pneumatic press, designed to squeeze them as gently as possible.