Jacques and Francois call it quits??!!

Just read a passing reference, in a wine review, to the split up of the winemaking team of Jacques and Francois Lurton. As some of you may know, I have long been a big fan of their wines, from properties in France and in the South America.

Anyone have any details on this?

[Robin Garr]

Just read a passing reference, in a wine review, to the slip of the winemaking team of Jacques and Francois Lurton. As some of you may know, I have long been a big fan of their wines, from properties in France and in the South America.

Anyone have any details on this?

I don't think that's true, Bruce, not as far as I know or can determine from Googling. Matt Kramer refers to them very much in the present tense in an article in the NY Sun on July 25, and there's no hint of any news stories about the company closing in any news clip that I can find.

Their website makes it sound like all is well, also.

http://www.jflurton.com/

Thanks all.

I work with Lurton here in Argentina, and we have heard no such announcement. I will check with my sales rep to confirm....

It is true. I have just found a reference on their website to the parting of ways. François is now sole shareholder.

What are the words, Tim? I can't see that on the site. Thanks, Bob

It is true. I have just found a reference on their website to the parting of ways. François is now sole shareholder.

Well, that is bad news indeed.

Maybe it's only on the French site. I clicked on "Achetez - France seulement" and then "Histoire" or words like that and got

En 2007, leurs vies prennent des chemins différents. Afin de préparer l’avenir, ils réorganisent leur patrimoine ; François reprend les parts de son frère et devient alors le seul actionnaire majoritaire de la société qui prend le nom de Domaines François Lurton.

Thanks, Tim. I checked only the English version. It looks like they are in the process of updating the site; the English and Spanish versions still speak of the brothers and their future plans for growth. Freely translated:

In 2007, their lives took different directions. In order to prepare the future, they reorganized their inheritance; François takes back the shares of his brother and thus becomes the only majority shareholder of the company, which takes the domain name François Lurton.

Regards, Bob

The information I received today from the my local contacts seem to confirm that there have been some major changes, although the details are not clear (at least not here in Buenos Aires).

If I remember correctly, Pierre was the brother that has management responsibilities inside the LVMH Group... isnt he in some senior position at Cheval Blanc...?

If I remember correctly, Pierre was the brother that has management responsibilities inside the LVMH Group... isnt he in some senior position at Cheval Blanc...?

The Lurtons form a numerous and somewhat confusing tribe. Pierre is a cousin of François and Jacques. He is now the general manager of both Cheval Blanc and Yquem.

I mentioned the website language to Jancis Robinsin; her reply:


Tx so much. I did hear tell but was waiting for the confirmation that Jacques was taking over the family Bordeaux operations.

Tx for reminding me... I'll go to the horse's mouth.


Regards, Bob