In early February, a select group of wine connoisseurs and gastronomy aficionados from around the world came together for an exquisite private dinner that celebrated the union of fine vintage wine and sumptuous dining, while celebrating some of the special people in the vintage wine industry that are carefully bringing tradition into a bright future. Held at renowned Parisian restaurant, Le Chiberta, a few steps from the Champs-Élysées, this event was a collaboration between Vintage Cellar and Château Figeac, one of the most prestigious wineries in Saint-Émilion. Guests were treated to some of the most memorable pairings I’ve had the pleasure to relish in recent years.
The evening was an illustration of the profound expertise behind Vintage Cellar—a company synonymous with high-end wine collections, rare bottles, and personalized wine experiences. Founded by Selim Bocti in 2019, Geneva-based Vintage Cellar offers a highly curated selection of premium wines from the world’s most renowned wine regions destined for private collectors. Over the last near-decade the company has become a key player in the luxury wine sector, known for its bespoke wine services, exclusive batches, and expert knowledge.
Vintage Cellar goes far beyond simple retail; with personalized, high-touch service for those with a discerning taste for the finest bottles. With a primary focus on Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, and California, the company helps wine enthusiasts, collectors, and investors establish exceptional wine collections. Its reputation as a hub for rare and limited-edition wines has drawn collectors from across the globe, eager to access bottles that are often hard to find elsewhere.
Vintage Cellar has also fostered a community of wine lovers through tastings, events, and educational experiences. The company’s concierge service offers invaluable advice on selecting wines, providing personalized recommendations and insights tailored to each customer’s taste and preferences.
Bocti, a collector and connoisseur himself, ensures that every bottle selected for the Vintage Cellar portfolio reflects his passion for quality and the art of winemaking. While the company’s expert team also focuses on helping customers preserve and store their wines in optimal conditions, offering top-tier storage solutions that ensure the longevity and integrity of their collections.
As one of the leading fine wine merchants in Geneva, Vintage Cellar’s influence continues to grow, expanding its clientele and reinforcing its position as a premier source of rare and exclusive wines.
Expertly curated by distinguished chef Clément Leroy, dishes paired perfectly with the wines being served, with the highlight being a selection of magnum bottles from Château Figeac. From the foie gras with black truffle to a wonderfully wintery duck pithiviers paired with an opulent vintage Château Figeac 1998. A decadent Brie with black truffles was served alongside a bottle of Château Figeac 1976, showcasing the depth and longevity of this renowned estate’s wines. The creamy, earthy cheese paired beautifully with the still very lively wine’s notes of ripe fruit, tobacco, and leather.
At the heart of the event was the storied legacy of Château Figeac, promoted to the highly coveted rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé A in September 2022. This designation places Château Figeac in the rarefied rank of only two estates in Saint-Émilion to hold this prestigious title, the other being Château Pavie. The promotion is a testament to the estate’s unwavering commitment to quality, heritage, and identity—values that have been passed down through the generations of the Manoncourt family, who have owned and operated the château for over 100 years.
The Château Figeac estate is currently managed by Blandine de Brier de Manoncourt, who is the fourth generation to oversee the estate. Blandine has played an integral role in modernizing the estate while preserving its rich heritage. Her vision for Château Figeac is to maintain a balance between tradition and innovation, ensuring that the wines continue to reflect the unique terroir of the estate while embracing contemporary winemaking practices. Under her leadership, the estate has grown in prominence, and its wines have garnered international acclaim for their elegance, complexity, and exceptional quality.
The Manoncourt family’s continued dedication to Château Figeac is a testament to the enduring power of family-run estates. For over a century, they have upheld the values of terroir-driven wines with a jovial professionalism, ensuring that each vintage tells the story of the land and the legacy of those who contributed to its existence.
A particularly notable figure in this transformation is Frédéric Faye, the estate’s talented winemaker. Widely regarded as one of the finest winemakers in France, Faye was recently ranked as the third-best winemaker in France by Figaro Vin. Faye’s expertise has been crucial in fine-tuning Château Figeac’s wine making processes, emphasizing the unique attributes of the estate’s terroir while crafting wines that are celebrated for their exceptional balance and depth. His meticulous approach to winemaking and his respect for the land have helped elevate Château Figeac to its current position as one of the top estates in Saint-Émilion.
Faye’s philosophy aligns perfectly with the estate’s broader vision of producing wines that are both approachable and age-worthy. His influence has been instrumental in securing Château Figeac’s prestigious classification and ensuring its place among the best estates in Bordeaux.
This evening’s carefully matched culinary and vinous delights, was not just a celebration of wine but also a nod to the rich, yet continuously evolving histories of both Vintage Cellar and Château Figeac. The meticulous curation by Selim Bocti and his team, as well as the perseverance and excellence of the Manoncourt family and their exceptional wines, left us with a memorable, velvety feeling of warmth and completion as we headed out into the crisp Paris night.
