From the Vineyards of Saint-Émilion to the tobacco fields of El Septimo
Crafting Perfection in Wine & Spirits, Setting the Standard at El Septimo
Zaya Younan, the founder of El Septimo, is a respected figure in both the luxury cigar and wine industries. With decades of experience, Younan brings the same passion and meticulousness to crafting wines, especially those from the esteemed St. Emilion region, as he does to his El Septimo cigars. His commitment to excellence has resulted in award-winning wines that, much like El Septimo cigars, provide a truly exceptional experience for discerning enthusiasts worldwide.
The Legacy of St. Emilion: Preserving Excellence in Wine
The roots of Zaya Younan’s wine-making prowess are deeply embedded in the rich history of St. Emilion, a region synonymous with excellence in viticulture. Founded 800 years ago and revived in 1948, the Jurade of St. Emilion has preserved the soul and culture of the best wine-making practices in the world. This historic institution has inducted many notable figures, including the Chairman of Pétrus, known for producing what many consider the best red wine globally.
Only six years after acquiring two vineyards in Saint-Emilion, Zaya S. Younan, Chairman & CEO of Younan Company and La Maison Younan, became the first ever American winemaker to be inducted into the Jurade of Saint-Emilion as a Winemaker of Honor, Bourgeois of St. Émilion by the Grand Jury Council on the 19th of June 2022. This remarkable achievement underscores Younan’s dedication and impact on the wine-making world, solidifying his place among the greats of the industry.
Zaya Younan’s connection to this legacy is profound. He owns two exceptional vineyards in the Saint-Émilion Grand Cru region—Château Zaya and Château La Croix Younan. These vineyards, covering a combined 47 acres, are located near renowned Grand Cru Classé “A” estates, Château Pavie and Château Ausone. This proximity to such esteemed vineyards underscores the high standards and quality that Younan insists upon in his own wine production.
Château Zaya and Château La Croix Younan: A Commitment to Quality
Château Zaya and Château La Croix Younan: A Commitment to Quality
La Maison Younan’s acquisition of Château Zaya (formerly Château La Garelle) was driven by a vision to establish an international reputation for producing impressive wines in Bordeaux. Since acquiring the estate, Younan has invested heavily in perfecting vine growth, the production process, and the facilities. The vineyard’s viticulture and vinification team, led by French expert Dr. Alain Raynaud, a former President of the Union des Grands Crus, is dedicated to producing wines that reflect the highest standards of the Bordeaux region.
Château La Croix Younan, the second vineyard, covers 22 acres and is one of the few large vineyards in Saint-Émilion. This vineyard is particularly notable as the first American-owned vineyard in the region to be included in the Rive Droite elite selection—an honor bestowed on only 113 wines representing excellence in Bordeaux’s Right Bank. The vineyard’s focus on producing handcrafted wines of the highest quality is embodied in its single-label product, La Croix Younan, a perfect Bordeaux blend of 64% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Cabernet Franc.
Younan’s approach to wine-making at both vineyards is characterized by a commitment to sacrificing quantity for quality, ensuring that every bottle produced is a reflection of the meticulous care and passion that he brings to the craft. The technical team, also led by Dr. Alain Raynaud along with Ludovic Perez, emphasizes precision in every step of the process, from soil management to fermentation and aging.
The Saint- Émilion Region: The home of Award-Winning Wines
Younan’s journey into wine-making began in one of the most revered wine regions in the world—St. Emilion. Located in Bordeaux, France, this region is unique in that it is entirely classified as Grand Cru, a designation reserved for the highest quality wines. The soil in St. Emilion, rich in minerals and underlaid with significant reserves of limestone, provides the perfect environment for growing red grapes of exceptional quality. This limestone not only enhances the sugar content of the grapes but also contributes to the lower alcohol levels that are characteristic of the wines from this region.
In contrast to the high-alcohol, high-sugar wines often produced in other regions, Younan’s wines from St. Emilion have a refined balance, offering alcohol levels as low as 12%—a stark difference from the 16-17% commonly found in California wines. This meticulous control over sugar and alcohol levels is achieved through precision farming and careful fermentation, processes that are rigorously monitored and refined, reflecting Younan’s engineering background.
The Art of Wine-Making: Precision and Innovation
The process of crafting these award-winning wines begins with a deep understanding of the terroir. Younan and his team focus on the soil’s unique characteristics, ensuring that the grapes absorb the rich mineral content that contributes to the wine’s complexity. Unlike other vineyards where grapes are allowed to grow freely across the vines, Younan’s approach in St. Emilion is to concentrate the plant’s energy on a single cluster of grapes at the bottom of the vine. This method ensures that all the nutrients from the soil are directed into these grapes, resulting in a more concentrated and flavorful wine.
The fermentation process is another area where Younan’s expertise shines. Using temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, the sugar and alcohol levels are carefully monitored and adjusted to achieve the perfect balance. After this initial fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels, a process that further refines its flavors. In some cases, Younan’s team will transfer the wine from new barrels to older ones, a technique that softens the wine’s edges, making it smoother and more complex.
The Legacy of Excellence: From Wine to Cigars
Zaya Younan’s dedication to excellence in wine-making directly influences the standards at El Septimo. Just as he obsessively perfects every bottle of wine, Younan ensures that each cigar produced under the El Septimo brand offers an unrivaled experience. This commitment to quality and innovation is why El Septimo cigars, much like his wines, are considered the best in the world.
Younan’s philosophy is simple: luxury is not about replicating what others have done but about creating something entirely unique. This approach is evident in both his wines and cigars, where every product is crafted to offer a sensory experience unlike any other. Whether it’s the rich, complex flavors of an El Septimo cigar or the smooth, refined taste of an award-winning wine from St. Emilion, Younan’s influence is unmistakable.
A Vision for the Future
Zaya Younan’s contributions to the wine and spirits industry, particularly in the Saint-Émilion region, are not only a testament to his expertise but also to his relentless pursuit of excellence. His induction into the prestigious Jurade of Saint-Émilion is a significant milestone, marking his achievements and dedication to preserving and enhancing the rich wine-making traditions of this renowned region. Younan’s investments in Bordeaux are just the beginning of his broader ambitions in the wine industry. As he looks to the future, his goal is clear: to lead 200 hectares of vineyards and establish himself as one of the best wine makers in the world.
At El Septimo, this same dedication to perfection ensures that every cigar is more than just a smoke—it’s a journey. Just as Younan’s wines are meticulously crafted to engage the senses and elevate the experience of drinking wine, El Septimo cigars are designed to provide a profound and lasting impression on those who seek the very best in life.
Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship of Zaya Younan. Explore our award-winning wines and luxury cigars at El Septimo, where every product is crafted to perfection.