We are increasingly asked about the viticultural regimes and green practices of our producers. Many of you know that Lurton’s properties are already or in the process of being organically certified (and in Argentina they are in the process of biodynamic certification). In addition, Lurton is also looking very carefully at the environmental impact of the processes of bringing wine from grape to table. In order to clarify exactly what this approach means and the tangible results, he sent us a charter that outlines Lurton’s Vineyard, Recycling and Packaging programs. This charter is a result of discussion and decisions made among the various areas of the company – production, packaging, marketing, and sales – and a great statement of commitments already made, and a direction forward. You can download it here.
Eco-responsibility at Francois Lurton
May 9th, 2011
François Lurton on Decanter.com
November 19th, 2010The globe-trotting François Lurton of Bodega Lurton and Languedoc’s François Lurton sits down with Decanter Magazine to discuss working internationally and the effort it takes to break out of the Bordeaux mold. Fascinating perspectives.
Keeping Up with the Lurtons
October 25th, 2010Jancis Robinson of the Financial Times recently published a colorful piece all about the Lurton family tree, which includes five generations of wine producers across over 30 Bordeaux châteaux. Of course, the real Lurton family story lies in brothers Jacques and François Lurton, both of whom owned and ran Jacques et François Lurton before Jacques left the family business for work as a consultant. François heads up the family’s operations in Chile, Argentina, Portugal, Spain and Bordeaux, France, leaving quite a legacy for the sixth generation of the Lurton clan.
Read more about the Lurton family history here (subscription required) or here.
VINTUS NEW U.S. IMPORTER OF E. GUIGAL; ACQUIRES EX-CELLARS
October 6th, 2010VINTUS NEW U.S. IMPORTER OF E. GUIGAL; ACQUIRES EX CELLARS
VINTUS and E. GUIGAL are pleased to announce they have entered into a long-term distribution agreement granting VINTUS the responsibility for the exclusive sales and marketing of GUIGAL wines in the United States. In a related transaction, VINTUS has purchased the assets of former GUIGAL importer Ex Cellars Wines Agencies.
VINTUS, founded in 2004, is a national importer and marketing company for leading fine wine estates around the world. VINTUS President and founder Michael Quinttus commented: “It is an honor and the fulfillment of a long dream to now represent the wines of GUIGAL, the leading producer in the Rhone Valley and one of the world’s iconic brands. Adding GUIGAL and other Ex Cellars producers such as Baumard, Philipponnat, François Lurton, D. Milhade, Château de Beauregard, Talmard and Dog Point to our portfolio is a seamless extension of our efforts to offer wine lovers and our distributor, retail and restaurant partners the finest wines in the world.”
Marcel and Philippe Guigal, with a fanatical devotion to quality and terroir, have set the highest production standards in the region, ranging from best-value Côtes du Rhônes to once-in-a-lifetime single-vineyard bottles such as La Mouline, La Turque and La Landonne from Côte-Rôtie. Reflecting on the transition to VINTUS after working for more than 40 years with importer Fred Ek, founder of Ex Cellars, Marcel and Philippe stated: “We will be eternally grateful to Fred Ek for introducing our wines to the U.S. in the 1960’s. Fred, Patrick and their team have given American wine lovers access to our wines for decades. We have also known and respected Michael for many years, and have watched as the VINTUS organization has developed. We believe his company is the natural next home for GUIGAL.”
According to Fred Ek, co-owner of Ex Cellars: “After so many years working with GUIGAL and my other friends in France, successively in retail, wholesale with Classic Wine Imports and finally Ex Cellars, it is a pleasure to pass them along to Michael Quinttus.” Patrick Will, co-owner of Ex Cellars, will become Vice President, Brand Management & Development at VINTUS. He adds, “it has been a pleasure and an honor to work with Fred and these wonderful producers for 14 years. I look forward to being part of what has undoubtedly become one of the very top fine wine portfolios in the country.”
VINTUS represents a diverse, international range of extraordinary wineries including Chateau Montelena, Quinta do Noval, Errazuriz, Ch. Pétrus, Ch. Margaux, Ch. La Fleur-Pétrus, Bruno Paillard, Marcel Deiss, Lucien Le Moine, Mas Belles Eaux, Sandrone, Petrolo, Enrico Santini, Schiopetto, Richard Sanford’s Alma Rosa Winery, Finca Decero, Telmo Rodriguez, Ferrer Bobet, Disznoko, Mitolo, Shaw + Smith, Delta, and Quinta da Romaneira. For more information, visit their website at www.vintuswines.com.
Founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal, E. GUIGAL is based in Ampuis and has been the leading producer of Rhône Valley wines for decades. Etienne’s son Marcel has led the development of the family firm since 1961, and Marcel’s son Philippe, oenologist, works by his side to carry on their traditions of quality, preservation and innovation. GUIGAL produces a wide range of Rhône wines: legendary wines from Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Condrieu, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Crozes-Hermitage and Tavel; and of course Côtes du Rhône red, rosé and white that represent some of the greatest values in the wine world. Their website is www.guigal.com.