Malartic-Lagravière to host Fête de la Fleur

Graves estate Malartic-Lagravière is to host the annual Fête de la Fleur this year as the Bonnie family celebrates 20 years of their ownership of the château.

The property will welcome 1,500 guests to the event on 21 June with the marquees being located right in the heart of the vineyards. The party is held at a different château every year

Space has been made by uprooting 13,000 vines or just over 1ha. The Bonnie family has explained that this particular plot of Merlot was due for replanting anyway and will be given over to new Cabernet Sauvignon vines this July, which are much better suited to the gravelly soil.

As a celebration of great wines, the Bonnies have worked alongside Yannick Alleno, whose restaurants have earned numerous Michelin stars, to create the menu.

Also in attendance will be Alexandra and Stéphanie de Nonancourt of Laurent Perrier. The de Nonancourt family owned Malartic-Lagravière until 1997 when it was sold to the Bonnies. The de Nonancourts will be serving their ‘Grand Siècle’ cuvée from magnums.

The Bonnie family said in a statement: “It is a great honour for the Bonnie family and everyone in the team at Malartic-Lagraviere to be hosting the prestigious Fête de la Fleur on Wednesday 21 June 2017. This traditional evening, which will mark the closing of Vinexpo Bordeaux, will also be an opportunity for the family to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their acquisition of the property.

“For 20 years, the Bonnie family have worked to elevate Château Malartic-Lagravière amongst the ranks of the very best wines in the Pessac-Léognan appellation. Everything is done to enable this premium terroir to express itself in all its magnificence: intra-plot management of the vineyard, High Environmental Value certification and the whole winemaking process is gravity-fed.

“The Fête de la Fleur has been organized since 1959 by the Commanderie du Bontemps du Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and Barsac, and celebrates the flowering of the vines: the arrival of the tiny flowers full of hope for the future harvest. Today it is a ceremonious occasion for wine professionals all over the world who come together for an evening to share their passion for great wines.

“Numerous important international figures are present each edition of this renowned evening that contributes to promote the image of Bordeaux wines around the world.”

The Bonnies have released some key logistical facts relating to this year’s Fête which will feature:

• 1,500 guests
• 2,700m2 of covered area in the heart of the vineyard
• 1,200 parking spaces
• 13,000 Merlot vines uprooted to make way for the marquee
• 10,000 fresh flowers
• 17,000 glass
• 100 sommeliers to serve the wines.