The challenging 2024 vintage was shaped by contrasting weather conditions, yet Château de Ferrand’svineyard and team unequivocally rose to the occasion. Precision, rigour, and responsiveness wereinstrumental in revealing the qualities of the property.
An unseasonably warm and damp winter, with785mm of rain over this period alone – compared to950mm for the entire year – led to an early bud breakaround 23rd March. This was accompanied byunusually high fungal pressure which requiredincreased monitoring and several targetedinterventions. Cool spring temperatures sloweddown flowering, which occurred gradually until29th May. June came and brought new challengeswith it: the erratic weather and vigorous growthrequired constant vigilance and meticulous work tocontrol mildew and optimise leaf balance. Covercrops played a key role in increasing drainage.Véraison (observed between 10th and 12th August)took place under good conditions, supported byprecise, regular trimming and leaf removal topromote sunlight exposure and optimal aeration.
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
After three years of organic conversion and despitethe challenging year in the vineyard, 2024 becomesthe first organic-certified vintage at Château de Ferrand.
THE HARD WORK PAID OFF
Harvest began with Merlot on 23rd September,amid autumnal weather – Cabernet Franc was notfar behind (4th – 8th October). A team of fortypickers was set up to pick this new vintageefficiently. In the cellar, the grapes were carefullysorted across three sorting tables, followed by anoptical sorting table. Alcoholic fermentation was agentle process, with considered pump-overs leadingto a delicate extraction that brought out the best inthe fruit while preserving the aromatic purity of thevintage.
“At Château de Ferrand, 2024 was ayear of renewal – a time during whichmany projects came to fruition -reigniting our passion, allowing us toconfront our blind spots, face riskshead-on, and venture down promisingnew paths … The vineyard is nowcertified organic – a mark of ourproduction’s quality and integrity.”- Pauline Chandon-Moët,president and co-owner
BOLD NEW LOOK
MoëtTo be revealed on the day of the 2024 release, Château de Ferrand’s new label expresses a singular visual identity,one that faithfully communicates the estate’s history, values, and vision. More than just an estate, Ferrand is aplace where wine, visual arts, and the famous French art de vivre meet.
“The 2024 vintage will be the first to bear our new label. Featuring an illustrationdrawn with a BIC pen, it tells the rich story of Ferrand. Lively and poetic, it strikes abalance between modernity and tradition, embodying the bold, creative spirit thatdrives us to support you in every market.”- Pauline Chandon-Moët
A FAMILY LEGACYA BOLD NEW LOOK
The family – now a prominent feature on the label -are the heirs of Baron Bich, whose invention of theBIC® pen revolutionised the worlds of writing andart. They bring the same values to winemaking atChâteau de Ferrand: passion, innovation, andexpertise.
A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM
On the label, nature is a recurring theme,harmoniously framing the property on all sides. Thisubiquity reflects the balance between the propertyand the organic world, as well as its commitment topreserving it.
ART AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
The choice of a hand-drawn picture evokes theauthenticity behind the label, embodying theartisanal philosophy at the heart of every bottleproduced at Château de Ferrand. Composed ofnumerous BIC® ballpoint pen strokes, theillustration is a reminder that every step ofproduction, from vine to bottle, is carried out withcare and precision.
”FERRAND BLUE”
The blue tone chosen for the label serves as achromatic signature. Rarely seen on wine labels, thedistinctive and emblematic hue sets the estate apart.Far from being arbitrary, the choice of blue isreminiscent of the ink from a BIC® ballpoint penand creates an authentic link between the estate’shistory and the Bich family.