OurHISTORY

There are characters who express themselves above all in action. Laurent Cisneros is one of them, believing that each of us has a life path that materializes over time, and one day presents itself face to face. He relies on his intuitions, and this is how he becomes the owner of Château de Rouillac. He nearly pursued a football career alongside his studies when he played for A.S Cannes alongside Zidane. Tired of waiting for a professional contract, at the age of 25, he decided to join the small artisan heating business established in Angoulême since 1963, created by his father, a Spanish immigrant, and his mother from Picardy. He quickly grasped the intricacies of this new profession and, within just 10 years, transforms the family business into a regional SME with nearly 80 employees. In 2009, he is approached by a large industrial group and decides to sell the company. His family history and roots undoubtedly lead him at the age of 42 to open a new chapter in life. He finally ventures into viticulture, following in the footsteps of his Spanish great-grandfather, an eminent and courageous winemaker who worked the arid lands near Madrid. He then embarks on the journey that leads him to Château de Rouillac, a 36-hectare vineyard dormant at the gates of Bordeaux. A magnificent Chartreuse built by Baron Haussmann, a terroir and potential waiting to be expressed, it’s THE place… intuition, decision, action! He becomes the owner in just 2 months! His wife Sophie and their three daughters—Mélanie, Ophélie, and Eugénie—take over the estate in 2010 and restore the Chartreuse to its beautiful family spirit. Horses, another passion of Laurent Cisneros and his eldest daughter Mélanie, with whom he participates in show jumping competitions, find a place in the castle’s former stables. All the balances of this accomplished leader are in place. He commits with strength and passion, putting Rouillac back on the path to excellence.

Since 2016, Mélanie Cisneros has been dedicated to showcasing this family property alongside her father. Today, as the Sales Director of Maison Cisneros, she brings all her energy and feminine sensitivity. This dynamic duo constantly strives to create and innovate, elevating this family property among the greatest Châteaux of Bordeaux and the Pessac-Léognan appellation.