From South Africa to Berson, the Jonck family has changed hemisphere with the aim of producing a model Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wine.

When a whole family decides to change its way of life, it’s just as well the wine estate they buy is called Château l’Espérance (espérance means hope). In January 2011, the Jonck family’s eyes alighted on the 20-hectare (49-acre) estate at Berson, a few miles east of Blaye. Having overcome all the administrative hurdles, and with the help of neighbours, their first priority has been to make high-quality wine. With the help of a winemaker and an estate manager from the Bordeaux region, they have achieved their goal.

A new life

The Jonck family is made up of father Johan, a former businessman, mother Riani, who used to be a lawyer, Johan junior, 32, Daniel, 29 and Henke, 23. “We decided to settle in Blaye because there is everything you need to make good wine here. We like wine in general. We wanted to start a new life for the family and we felt welcome”, says the youngest son, Henke Jonck. Each member of the family helps out at the château, whether working in the vineyard, making the wine or selling it. “It’s still all rather new for us, but things are going very well. We’re very happy.” The young man adds: “The wine here is much better than in South Africa. In quality terms in general, it’s a real pleasure.”

A ship on the label

The owners are clearly ideally placed to meet the expectations of English-speaking visitors to Château l’Espérance. “We get visitors from South Africa, but a lot of Chinese are also interested in our wine”, says the young winegrower. Like the people who make it, the Jonck family’s Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux wines look beyond national borders, finding markets in China and the United States in particular. The engraving of a ship on the label is an eloquent reminder of the spirit of adventure which inhabits them.