Family & Team
La Maison Cardinale is a creative house in perpetual motion. Whether it is about the art of crafting great wines or offering unforgettable moments, we embrace Bordeaux savoir-faire while also drawing inspiration from elsewhere, faithful to our heritage of the arts of the table.
Porcelain as Heritage
The story of La Maison Cardinale begins in 2001, when Dominique and Florence Decoster acquired Château Fleur Cardinale, in the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru appellation.
In 2017, their son Ludovic and his wife Caroline took over the reins of the family estate, continuing the heritage of the arts of the table while infusing it with their own vision. In 2024, they created La Maison Cardinale, an entity that brings together Château Fleur Cardinale, Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion, and Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.
Complementarity as a Guiding Principle
La Maison Cardinale embodies an approach where boldness stands alongside humility, where tradition dialogues with innovation. This dynamic, carried by a family duo in each generation, allows for a balance between convention and freedom, pragmatism and sensitivity, always guided by knowledge and intuition.
A philosophy rooted in the territory: Château Fleur Cardinale occupies the northern slope of the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, while Château Croix Cardinale shapes its southern slope.
Creativity as a Signature
Heir to the arts of the table, La Maison Cardinale likes to create bridges: between wine and music, between tradition and boldness, between what is tasted and what is experienced. The Melody Masterclass, which combines wine and rock in a unique sensory experience, is not a marketing gimmick.
It is the expression of a conviction: that the best ideas are born when worlds are brought together. Awarded twice in wine tourism, it is now one of the most distinctive experiences in the Bordeaux vineyard.
A Family Adventure
In 2001, our family, originally from Limoges porcelain, settled in the land of Saint-Émilion and acquired Château Fleur Cardinale, the beginning of a winegrowing and human adventure that has never stopped.
From its promotion to the rank of Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion in 2006, to opening to the public in 2021, and up to the creation of La Maison Cardinale in 2024: each stage has built what we are today; a family estate rooted in its territory, open to the world.
2001
Dominique and Florence Decoster bought Château Fleur Cardinale.
2006
The property was promoted to the rank of Grand Cru Classé of Saint-Émilion.
2011
The D. Decoster family bought Château Croix Cardinale, next to Château Fleur Cardinale.
2017
Ludovic, eldest son of Florence and Dominique, and his wife Caroline embodied the second generation to take over the reins of the family business.
2018
The family acquired new plots and took on a new challenge: producing a white wine.
2021
Château Fleur Cardinale became the first classified growth in Bordeaux to be certified Engagé R.S.E by AFNOR. That same year, the property opened its doors to the general public.
2023
The family reinvented the great wine of Château Croix Cardinale through the southern slope.
2024
Since January 2024, La Maison Cardinale has been the entity that brings together all the Vineyards and Experiences activities of the D. Decoster family.
A Team of Enthusiasts
La Maison Cardinale is, above all, a team.
Winegrowers, technicians, experience managers, administrative team: each person contributes to making this Saint-Émilion estate a place where winegrowing quality and the quality of the welcome are carried with the same care.
Julie BELLOT MEYROU
Experience Deputy Manager since 2024, Julie leads the development of the wine tourism offer and works to create an inspiring customer experience. Her interests include writing children’s stories, organising family activities and discovering new wines, which she shares with her wine merchant brother.
Cyril BETRIU
Tractor driver worker since 2021, Cyril carefully watches over the proper development of the vine. Outside work, he devotes himself to carp fishing, follows football championships and enjoys poker evenings.
Julien CADEL
Tractor driver worker since 2012 and second cellar master since 2021, Julien contributes to the creation of the wines. A lover of flea markets, he cherishes objects charged with history and family gatherings.
Ludivine CHAGNON
Technical Director since September 2023, Ludivine brings her expertise to wine production. An accomplished sportswoman, she devotes herself to triathlon and dance, while nurturing a passion for writing.
Sabrina CHAUVEAU
Team leader since 2021, Sabrina coordinates the vineyard work. She shares her enthusiasm for mechanical sports and music with her two daughters.
Livine DERYCKE
Versatile vineyard & cellar operator since 2025, Livine Derycke puts her know-how at the service of vineyard and wine work. Originally from Belgium, she enjoys making beer, meals shared with friends, as well as travelling.
Marina EIRAS
Experience Ambassador since 2026, Marina guides our visitors with precision and warmth. A former lawyer and pastry chef, she is also a percussionist, three disciplines where high standards are second nature.
Lucie ESCURAING
Technical management assistant since 2024, Lucie contributes to the continuous improvement of production. She enjoys sharing meals with her friends, reading, and hiking in the mountains.
Sybil GALLOT
Experience Ambassador since 2025, Sybil guides tastings with enthusiasm. Passionate about travel, she also enjoys convivial family moments around a good meal, as well as discovering culture in all its forms.
Olivier LAROUMAGNE
Team leader and tractor driver worker since 1999, Olivier excels in soil work. He enjoys DIY, walks in the forest and enriching conversations with the elders.
Sophie PRIGENT
Accounting secretary since 1996, Sophie brings her expertise to the daily management of La Maison Cardinale. Passionate about history, she particularly enjoys reading historical biographies.
Christophe PRIGENT
Tractor driver worker since 2023, Christophe devotes himself with care to vine cultivation. Outside the vineyard, he enjoys no-kill fishing, walks in the forest and games of pétanque with friends.
Julie RIPERT
QHSE Manager since 2021, Julie ensures quality, respect for ethics and safety within La Maison Cardinale. In her free time, she enjoys concerts, sewing and convivial moments with friends.
Philippe TAILLEDET
Maintenance and upkeep agent since 2023, Philippe carefully maintains the outdoor spaces. He divides his time between DIY, reading and his koi carp.