Eric Boissenot photographs to be auctioned by Brane Cantenac

Chateau Brane Cantenac is to auction a series of photographs by the renowned consultant Eric Boissenot – in aid of the charity Solidair.

Eric Boissenot, with his father Jacques at their laboratory in Lamarque, consults for dozens of major chateaux in Bordeaux, including four first growths, as well as properties in Spain and Greece.

He is also a keen photographer, working only in black and white with large-format cameras such as a Rolleiflex 3.5f, a Leica M3 and a Graflex, some of which date back to the 1900s.

The 23 images of Chateau Brane Cantenac were produced using the Zone System, a technique for determining length of exposure and development time, which gives ‘optimal density to the shades of grey that were so dear to [celebrated American photographer] Ansel Adams’, Brane Cantenac said in a statement.

The auction, which takes place during Vinexpo on 17 June, will be conducted by Sotheby’s USA and Asia chief executive Jamie Ritchie, who has given his services free.

‘I am honoured to be part of this wonderful evening, which will combine the arts of winemaking and photography with raising much needed funds for such a worthwhile charity: Solidair,’ Ritchie said.

Solidair was founded in 1995 by Dr Philippe Chastan, a specialist in digestive and abdominal surgery. The charity aims to cut out corrupt middlemen by delivering medicines and surgical equipment directly by plane to some of the most deprived regions of Africa. Chastan is now seeking funds to expand his operations to other countries such as Albania and Romania.

The photographs, framed, and signed by Boissenot, have a starting price of €800.

Also in the auction is a number of lots of scarce bottlings of Chateau Brane Cantenac: a double magnum of the 2005 (starting at €400), a double magnum of the 1983 (€500), and two six-bottle cases of exceptional vintages from 1982 to 2010.

Written by Adam Lechmere