Chateau Loupiac-Gaudiet & Chateau Pontac

“The most important thing is to make wine with your heart.”

A beautiful house located near the village of Loupiac. It was built in the 18th century by a ship owner of Bordeaux, in order to serve as his country house. Talking about this and for the little story he built the chateau of exactly the same length as his boat. An account book of the various passages of the Garonne, dated 1829, is even visible in the tasting room.

Subsequently, the chateau had a succession of different owners until 1920 with the arrival of the family Ducau, family that still owns the chateau today. This family already owned the Château Pontac, that was purchased in 1870. Today it serves as a working winery. The arrival of the family to the ownership of the chateau also marked the beginning of the wine history of this property.
This property currently is owned by Marc DUCAU associated with his nephew Daniel SANFOURCHE who manages it. His wife, Marie-Laurence Sanfourche is in charge of the administrative and commercial area of the Chateau.

Where does the name Loupiac-Gaudiet comes from?

The word “Loupiac” is a legacy of the former Chateau attachment to the nearby church of the XIIth century village Loupiac. Moreover, a small door in the park leads to the garden of the church.
As for the name “Gaudiet” he refers to the enclosure behind the building. Both names were associated during its acquisition in 1920.

What is the Leitmotiv, when Ducau Marc and his nephew Daniel Sanfourche create their wines?

The uncle, and the nephew as well both have the exact same vision of their business, their passions and the wines they produce.
They both look “Above all finesse, concentration but also the sweet side but not overly sweetness. A lively wine, fresh and with its own character. ” Having the same approach about their wine they “do not seek to answer a fad but the expectation of the customer loyalty and make wines they like.” “The most important thing with wine is to do it with one´s heart.”

The wines are not aged in barrels but tanks (except for Chateau Loupiac). The reason is that it’s been over 30 years that the wines of this property are aged (in tanks) making it one of the signature characteristics of this castle.

Quickly focus on Marie-Laurence Sanfourche

Until the day she met her husband Daniel Sanfourche, Marie-Laurence didn’t drink “even a drop of wine“, “never bathed in the wine world.” By marrying “a man who happened to be a winemaker“, she also married his passion. He and his uncle (Mark Ducau) made her discover and enjoy the wine gradually to fall in love with what this world wine.

Side anecdote:

This excerpt from a biography of one of the former owners of the Château Loupiac-Gaudiet, Mr. Reinhold Dezeimeris:
“For now, we know that the building was a hospital auxiliary nomenclature as No. 70 (located in military jargon so HA No. 70). It has been approved for 30 beds, its management was entrusted to the Relief Society to wounded soldiers (SSBM) is one of three organizations that made at the time the French Red Cross. From what we know so far, it would have worked since 31 August 1914 and ceased 8 July 1915 although its closure has taken place in January 1917. ” Thus the Château Loupiac-Gaudiet have served as a military hospital during the First World War. Somewhat unusual for a winery!

A cocktail Idea to enjoy the Loupiac:

The same day, take slices of orange. Put the slices soaked in a container 4cl 4cl Cointreau and Cognac. Keep it fresh. The day before serving, pour over the oranges in a bottle of Loupiac. Here it is ready to eat ….!

Thanks to Marie-Laurence and Denis SANFOURCHE for their hospitality

Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche

Château Loupiac-Gaudiet
33410 LOUPIAC
Tél : 05.56.62.99.88
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