Maurice Velge sees his adventure at Château de Côme as the end of natural evolution. “My father had good friends in Bordeaux. The world of wine always attracted me, and when the opportunity arose to become involved, I decided to step in”.

When Baron Maurice Velge bought Château de Côme in 1997, his approach was much more like the fulfilment of an old love-affaire more, than an investment, he started hiring José Bueno for the wine making.

After 23 years spent with Baron Philippe de Rothschild, José went to Côme. “I learned most of what I know at Mouton-Rothschild, where I helped to make several vintages and later as cellar master at Château Clerc Milon and Château d’Armaillac… Mouton is one of the best schools there is for learning every aspect of quality, down to the finest detail. I am familiar with all the techniques used to make a first growth and was immediately attracted by the challenge at Château de Côme”. With a smile, José Bueno explains that “everything we do here is on a par with any of the first growths”.

Together they attracted a wonderful team: cellar-master, skilled and devoted people for land, for sells, for logistics, administration, etc… “First of all, we had to hire a highly qualified team to work in the vineyard and cellars.” As for this team, José Bueno is now saying, with a slight smile, that “it is one of a First Growth level”. Most of the vineyard plots are located on that famous string of deep gravel overlooking the river from Margaux to Saint-Estèphe, where the finest growths in the Médoc are found. “On our estate, every detail from care of the vineyard to winemaking is carried out with expert precision ».