Southold

Southold is a small wine estate in the village of Francs, within the Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, a short drive northeast of Saint-Émilion. The project is run by an American couple, Regan and Carey Meador, whose winemaking journey began in 2012 on New York's Long Island under the name Southold Farm + Cellar, continued in Texas Hill Country from 2017, and finally landed in Bordeaux in 2024, when they bought a 7-hectare property in the limestone hills around Francs.

How to get there?

Francs sits in the Gironde department, a short drive from Saint-Émilion and under an hour from central Bordeaux. A car is the practical way to reach it, since the surrounding landscape is classic wine country crossed by narrow lanes winding between low hills. Because Southold is a small, family-run operation rather than a large commercial château, it's best to arrange a visit directly with the estate in advance rather than expecting to drop in unannounced.

What will you see?

The heart of the property is a modest stone outbuilding that doubles as the winemaking cellar — no grand tasting pavilion here, just a working farm atmosphere. The vines grow on limestone slopes the Meadors chose deliberately: the cooler air and chalky soils of Francs are meant to bring freshness and precision to the wines, a contrast to the warmer Texas climate where they worked for years before the move. The estate follows organic and regenerative farming practices, with cover crops, biodiversity corridors, and plans to eventually integrate livestock into the vineyard system. This is a destination for visitors interested in parcel-driven, small-batch winemaking philosophy rather than polished tourist infrastructure — wines are made in limited quantities with an emphasis on the character of individual plots rather than volume.

When to visit?

The most rewarding time to visit the region runs from spring through early autumn, when the vines are green, and by August and September the ripening grapes can be seen ahead of harvest. Keep in mind that, unlike the large commercial châteaux nearby, Southold's small scale means visits are limited, and most of the wine is allocated directly to a mailing list and a narrow circle of restaurants and retailers rather than sold on-site in volume.

Frequently asked questions

Is Southold a grand château in the classic Bordeaux style? No — it's a small, family-run estate on 7 hectares, run with a craft rather than industrial approach.

Who is behind the estate? American couple Regan and Carey Meador, who previously ran Southold Farm + Cellar on Long Island and then in Texas before relocating to Francs in Bordeaux in 2024.

How is it different from the neighboring Saint-Émilion estates? Francs is a lesser-known, cooler Côtes de Bordeaux appellation — the Meadors chose it specifically for its limestone soils and climate suited to freshness, a deliberate contrast to the warmer Texas conditions they left behind.

Can you buy wine directly at the estate? Given the limited production, wines go mainly to a mailing list and a small group of restaurants and shops, so it's worth checking availability directly before visiting.