Château Tour des Gendres - Côtes-de-Bergerac La Gloire de mon Père 2023

This estate is the family stronghold of the Conti family. Luc de Conti purchased the estate in 1981. His cousin Francis and his son Guillaume joined him, while his daughter Margaux chose another estate (Barouillet) and his son Gilles pursued a career in brewing. Fifty hectares are farmed organically, and a small portion (12 hectares) is farmed biodynamically.

No oak barrels are used at this estate, which does not seek pronounced oak influence. Well known to readers, the estate’s “historic” Côtes-de-Bergérac undergoes a long maceration (30 days)—without seeking extraction—and is aged for 18 months in large oak casks on the lees. The 2023 vintage blends all four grape varieties of the appellation, with a high proportion of Malbec (45%) and Cabernets. We appreciate its aromas of stewed red fruits and its powerful, structured palate—slightly austere on the finish—which highlights the freshness of the Cabernets. A sign of great potential.

Savagnin, a grape variety from the Jura region, is making its debut in the Bergerac region! A craft brewery and a distillery are further diversifying the estate’s offerings. With Gilles and Margaux de Conti, the new generation—full of ideas—took over this family estate in 2022. While creating original vintages, they continue to produce the appellation wines that have made Château Tour des Gendres famous. The estate was founded in 1981 by their father, Luc, the son of farmers and winemakers and the grandson of Italian immigrants who settled in the region in 1925. The estate, which now spans 30 hectares, began transitioning to organic farming in 1996, prior to receiving certification in 2009.

The 52-hectare estate has recently been divided between the two branches of the family. Luc de Conti, who has been delighting us with his Bergerac wines for twenty-five years, has parted ways with his cousin and, together with his children, Margaux and Gilles, is building a new future for the estate. The vineyard, managed entirely using organic farming methods, produces full-bodied whites and reds that adhere to the classic styles of the Bergerac region. Beer, whiskey, and truffles will also now be part of the lineup for the Conti label’s celebrations.