Our Story
The Beginning
Our story starts in Château de Saint-Cernin in the South-West of France. Aquired in the early 2000's, with a clear vision of its potential and an ambitious plan to realize it, life partners Róbert and Ksenia Wessman embarked on an adventure. Since then, we at Maison Wessman have steadily anchored our winery into the French wine landscape, becoming a symbol of creation and excellence.
Róbert Wessman
Róbert Wessman is the founder and CEO of global pharmaceutical firm Alvotech and investment firm Aztiq. Robert has spent his entire career on improving peoples lives by increasing access low-cost alternatives to expensive medicine. He has developed five global pharmaceutical companies in his 25 year career.
Robert and his partner Ksenia have together developed a profound interest in wines as they spent their summers in their home away from home, Chateau de Saint-Cernin. They grew intrigued by the soils around the Chateau, as they were highly comparable, preferable even, to some of the top terroirs in Bordeaux. Always the dreamer, Robert decided to challenge himself to create one of the best wines in the world. This led them to create Maison Wesman, to handle the production of the companies first vintage in 2016, N'1 Saint-Cernin.
Taste the wines of Saint-Cernin
N°1 Saint-Cernin Rouge is an ultra-premium wine produced in small quantities on the distinctive terroir of the Plateau d’Issigeac.
At Maison Wessman, we believe in the importance of beginnings. That’s why we created SaintCernin Rouge, a seductive wine to celebrate every day.
Introducing Bugalys from Limoux
In addition to his roots in Chateau Saint-Cernin, Robert's love for Chardonnay drove him to start slowly acquiring hectares in the Languedoc region of Limoux. Today, we cultivate 26 hectares, including stunning parcels in the commune of La Serpent. Thanks to the exceptional terroir, winemaking techniques on par with the greatest Chardonnay cuvées, ultra-selective blending with the involvement of Andreas Larsson the Best Sommelier of the World 2007, we produce truly exceptional Chardonnays in Limoux.
Try our Limoux Wines
The Bugalys Bubbles adventure represents a new wine journey in the lands of Limoux.
A remarkable white for people who want more. No ordinary Chardonnay, Alti Bugalys is made from grapes from the Haute Vallée de Limoux terroir, in the foothills of the Pyrenees in southwestern France.
Bugalys expresses the perfect balance between the richness of wines from the Oceanian terroir and the freshness of wines from the Haute Vallée terroir.
Discover Vignoble des Verdots
At the heart of the Périgord Pourpre, the Vignoble des Verdots stands as the key estate, offering a gateway to explore its wines and enjoy all the experiences the domaine has to offer. This is the estate you can visit, where terroir, tradition, and modern winemaking come together in a stunning setting, just minutes from the medieval town of Bergerac.
Spanning nearly 55 hectares on the fertile plateau of Issigeac, the Verdots vineyard rests on a complex tapestry of limestone and clay soils. This diversity gives rise to all four expressions of wine — red, white, rosé, and sweet — each reflecting the richness and nuance of the Bergeracois terroir. The estate’s unique underground cellar, crossed by the natural river of the Verdots, ensures an ideal microclimate for vinification, bringing freshness and balance to every bottle.
Visitors can explore the estate through guided vineyard walks, tastings in the caveau, and moments on the sun-drenched terrace overlooking the vines. Curated experiences reveal the story of the vineyard—from vine management and winemaking to learning how to taste and appreciate the wines. The estate is also home to Maison Wessman par Thierry Marx, a contemporary bistrot where seasonal, locally inspired cuisine celebrates the terroir. The philosophy of the Maison—a deep connection to the land, respect for people, support for local initiatives, and a vision of the French art of living—is evident in every corner of the domaine.
Every visit invites you to connect with the landscape, experience the winemaking craft, and discover the estate’s commitment to sustainability and local heritage.
Try Verdots Wines
Our Grand Vin des Verdots range is designed for wine lovers and epicureans. It will delight the most experienced palates.
Our Grand Vin des Verdots range is designed for wine lovers and epicureans. It will delight the most experienced taste buds.
The ‘Tours des Verdots’ wines are balanced and powerful. Supremely elegant Bergerac wines, they are a perfect combination of finesse and substance.
