Bordeaux: A wine travel guide
Right on the Atlantic coast, Bordeaux is the quintessential French wine region. On this trip to the...
Silvio Denz: How a Swiss vintner conquered Bordeaux
Twenty years ago, Silvio Denz stepped onto the grand stage in Bordeaux and breathed new life into three previously neglected wineries. Today, Châteaux Faugères, Péby Faugères, and Cap de Faugères are among the most exciting names in the region as Denz celebrates two decades on Bordeaux’s Right Bank.
“My greatest dream was to own a Bordeaux estate,” recalls Silvio Denz as he reflects on the beginnings of his passion for the region. In 2005, that dream became a reality when the Swiss entrepreneur acquired Châteaux Faugères, Péby Faugères, and Cap de Faugères, marking the start of one of the most remarkable success stories on Bordeaux’s Right Bank.
The choice of Saint-Émilion was intentional. “Saint-Émilion is fascinating – not only the town, but the entire region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a truly beautiful area, with rolling hills and a town that’s over 1,000 years old,” Denz says with enthusiasm. Unlike the expansive 100-hectare estates of the Left Bank, he was drawn to the charm of the smaller, mid-sized wineries that define the Right Bank's landscape.
The centerpiece of Denz’s vision became a reality in 2009 with the inauguration of the cathedral-like cellar at Château Faugères – an architectural masterpiece designed by Mario Botta. Seamlessly blending aesthetic elegance with peak functionality, the structure stands as a modern icon in the Bordeaux wine world. “Faugères is like an amphitheater, it’s a rounded hill that slopes down on both sides,” Denz explains, capturing the distinctive topography of his flagship estate.
A particularly unique selling point emerged from Denz’s acquisition of the renowned crystal manufacturer Lalique in 2008. Since then, Lalique’s artistic motifs have graced the bottles, creating a refined union of wine and bottle. This elegant fusion symbolizes Denz’s unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, beauty, and timeless sophistication.
From underdog to grand cru
His success proved him right: in 2005, Château Péby Faugères became the first non-classified estate to receive a sensational 100 points from Robert Parker. “That was a minor sensation,” says Denz, “because 100 points are normally only awarded to classified wines.” In 2012, both Château Faugères and Péby Faugères were deservedly included in the prestigious Grands Crus Classés classification of Saint-Émilion.
Today, the portfolio of Vignobles Silvio Denz presents three unique expressions of this exceptional terroir. Château Faugères stands out as an elegant assemblage; Château Péby Faugères, a pure Merlot, is produced in small quantities of just 16,000 bottles annually; and Château Cap de Faugères offers an approachable wine from the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux. “In principle, you have the ideal wine for every occasion,” Denz summarizes.
In 2014, he further expanded his presence in Bordeaux by acquiring Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a Premier Grand Cru Classé in Sauternes, where he opened the Lalique Hotel & Restaurant—an exclusive 5-star Relais & Châteaux property. In 2022, its restaurant recieved two Michelin stars.
In 2025, Denz is celebrating two milestones: 20 years in Bordeaux, and 100 years of winemaking at Château Faugères, where the first Merlot plot was planted in 1925. A living legacy that continues to inspire the estate’s pursuit of excellence.
