A Journey Through Wine and Life
We present a book written by a winemaker of truly exceptional experience – May-Éliane de Lencquesaing. For the greater part of her life, she was based in Bordeaux, where she led one of the Médoc’s most celebrated estates, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, shaping its international reputation with vision and determination. Born into a family of Bordeaux wine-growers and brokers with Anglo-Spanish roots from the Philippines, her life has unfolded across continents and cultures – from the châteaux of Bordeaux to the American Midwest, and from Médoc’s historic vineyards to the Cape winelands of South Africa.
In 2025, May-Éliane de Lencquesaing marked her 100th birthday, a milestone that crowns a life devoted to wine and discovery. At the age of 78, she embarked on a bold new chapter, relocating to South Africa to begin yet another winemaking career — one defined by the same energy and independence that shaped her earlier achievements. This extraordinary journey, and the depth of experience behind it, form the heart of the book she now shares with readers. Renowned for her boundless vitality, May de Lencquesaing was deservedly named Decanter’s “Woman of the Year” in 1994.
Her memoir, My Journey with Wine, tells the story of a woman whose passion and perseverance transformed legendary estates and inspired generations. The book offers an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs of winemaking, blending personal anecdotes with the intricacies of creating exceptional wines. It captures the physical demands, the creative joys, and the emotional highs and lows that define a life devoted to wine. Through its pages, May-Éliane shares not only the legacy of Bordeaux but also her vision, curiosity, and enduring commitment to excellence, offering readers a deeply human and inspiring perspective.
Professional Journey and Achievements
After marrying a career army officer, May-Éliane led a nomadic life, raising four children around the world. Drawing lots to inherit her father’s estate, she took over Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, restoring its prestige and earning international acclaim. At seventy-eight, she founded Glenelly Estate in South Africa, crafting wines that blend French tradition with Stellenbosch terroir. An Officer of France’s Legion of Honour, she also holds the Order of Agricultural Merit and the Youth and Sports Medal, remaining an active entrepreneur, mentor, and inspiration in the global wine community.
My Journey with Wine
In My Journey with Wine, May-Éliane recounts not only her personal and professional life but also the essence of winemaking itself – the delicate balance between tradition and innovation, the discipline and creativity required, and the emotional connection to land and harvest.
The book reveals her philosophy: that dedication, curiosity, and respect for nature are at the heart of producing exceptional wines. It is both a memoir and a celebration of a life lived with passion, resilience, and elegance.
Glenelly Estate: French Elegance in South Africa
Glenelly Estate, founded by May-Éliane at the age of seventy-eight in Stellenbosch, South Africa, embodies the perfect fusion of French winemaking heritage and South African terroir. The 123-hectare estate grows Bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Syrah – and practices gentle, hands-on winemaking, including hand sorting, fermentation with native yeasts, and aging in French oak barrels. The estate’s wines, including Lady May, Estate Reserve Red Blend, Estate Reserve Chardonnay, and Glass Collection, reflect elegance, structure, and expression of the unique terroir. Glenelly also exemplifies social and environmental responsibility, with regenerative viticulture and community initiatives, continuing the family tradition of excellence that dates back to 1783.
