Pym-Rae Tesseron Estate Profile
The globe of the Daily Planet: a gift from Christopher Reaves(actor of Superman) welcomes guests as they enter the home.
The People
The Owners/Proprietors
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Alfred Tesseron, a visionary rooted in his family’s storied Tesseron Cognac legacy. After purchasing Château Pontet-Canet in 1975 and taking over management in 1994, he revolutionized Pauillac estate by embracing biodynamic viticulture, earning Demeter certification in 2010 and elevating its wines to rival the region’s finest. In 2016, Tesseron expanded to Napa Valley with the purchase of Pym-Rae on Mount Veeder, where he applies the same meticulous biodynamic principles to produce wines of purity and precision. Across Cognac, Bordeaux, and Napa, Alfred Tesseron’s unwavering commitment to harmony between nature and craftsmanship has cemented his legacy as a steward of the land and a creator of exceptional wines.
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Noé Tesseron, the grandson of Alfred Tesseron, embodies the next generation of leadership for the family’s storied estates, Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac and Pym-Rae (Tesseron Estate) in Napa Valley. Before officially joining the family business in 2018, Noé gained valuable experience outside the wine world, working in finance and developing a keen understanding of global markets and business strategy. With a strong foundation of tradition and an eye on the future, Noé Tesseron continues to build on the family’s legacy.
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Justine Tesseron, the niece of Alfred Tesseron officially joined the family business in 2017, bringing her energy and modern sensibility to her role in communications and marketing.
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Winemaker / Vineyard Manager
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Jérôme Ledit, Estate Manager and Winemaker for Pym-Rae Tesseron Estate on Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder, brings a wealth of winemaking and vineyard management experience as well as a strong understanding of biodynamic principles to his role. Before joining the Tesseron family’s Napa project, he worked with Maison Chapoutier in Alsace, where he played a key role in developing biodynamic practices across the estate’s vineyards. This experience honed his ability to express terroir purity through sustainable, natural viticulture. At Pym-Rae, Jérôme oversees the vineyard’s meticulous biodynamic farming and winemaking.
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Thomas Comme, a French-trained winemaker, successfully transitioned the vineyards of Pym-Rae to dry farming by removing irrigation systems in 2016.
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Michel Rolland, one of the most influential figures in modern winemaking, is a world-renowned oenologist and wine consultant. Born in Libourne, Bordeaux, he studied at the University of Bordeaux before building a career that would span continents. Known for his expertise in blending and crafting wines of opulence, balance, and approachability, Rolland has worked with top estates across Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Argentina, and beyond
Historical Significance
The Pym-Rae vineyard, nestled on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley, holds a story as rich and soulful as the wines it now produces. Originally owned by Robin Williams, the property was more than just a home; it was a place cherished friendships. Among those friendships was Christopher Reeve, the beloved actor who played Superman, who spent his later days at Williams’ estate. When Robin Williams named the vineyard Pym-Rae, it was a heartfelt gesture, drawing from the middle names of his children, Zachary Pym and Cody Rae, as a tribute to his family.
The Pym-Rae logo, the Daily Planet globe from Superman, is a symbol of his deep friendship between Robin Williams and Christopher Reeve and a tribute to their shared legacy. Additionally,the logo has new meaning as the Tesseron Estate becomes a global brand. With estates in Cognac, Bordeaux (Château Pontet-Canet), and now Napa Valley, the globe symbolizes the Tesseron family’s international presence and their commitment.
Style of Wine/Philosophy
The winemaking philosophy at Pym-Rae reflects the Tesseron family's unwavering commitment to purity, precision, and respect for the land. One of the key requirements for the project was to acquire a vineyard with mature vines, ensuring the quality and complexity needed to meet the family’s exacting standards.
The Mount Veeder estate, with its elevation, mix of volcanic soils, and rugged terrain, provided the ideal foundation for crafting wines of depth and elegance. Rooted in biodynamic principles and dry farming as of 2016(all the irrigation system was removed), the estate operates as a living ecosystem, where natural harmony drives every decision. A small farm on the property, home to 25 resilient South American cows with long horns, plays a vital role—these strong, hardy breeds contribute to the vineyard's health through compost and sustainable farming practices. In the cellar, gentle, minimal-intervention techniques allow the pure expression of the fruit and vineyard to shine.
Past Critic Opinion
Since its inaugural vintage in 2016, Pym-Rae has consistently received elite scores from leading wine critics and publications, including Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker, James Suckling, and Decanter. These rave reviews highlight the wine’s exceptional quality, balance, and its unique expression of Mount Veeder’s terroir, solidifying Pym-Rae’s reputation as a world-class estate.
“A wine is really made with the vines. We are farmers first.”
The Wine: Tesseron Pym-Rae Bordeaux Blend
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The Pym-Rae wine is a pure expression of its estate, crafted exclusively from grapes grown on the Mount Veeder vineyard. The 18 acre property is planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 10% each Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and the final blend is determined each year by the vineyard’s unique conditions. A true reflection of place, the blend adapts naturally.
Vineyard Sources
The estate consists of two vineyards located at elevations between 1,500 and 1,800 feet, which is above the fog line. At this altitude, the climate is fresher, with cooler temperatures that preserve acidity and extended sunshine that ensures full ripening. The resulting wines are balanced and expressive, with no acid adjustments in the winery—a testament to the natural harmony of the site. Pym-Rae reflects the precision and philosophy of the Tesseron family: structured yet elegant wines that honor the unique terroir of Mount Veeder.
The Pym-Rae vineyards consists of 18 acres planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 10% each Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and the final blend is determined each year by the vineyard’s unique conditions. A true reflection of place, the blend adapts naturally: for instance, when fruit set for the Merlot (planted on the upper vineyard, where it experiences more rain) is poor, Cabernet Franc plays a larger role in the blend. The estate is home to two distinct vineyards: a lower vineyard, visible from the terrace below the infinity pool, and the upper vineyard, which offers a different microclimate and influences the composition of the wine.
Gallery
