Portraits of winemakers

CHÂTEAU LOUPIAC-GAUDIET: ‘REASONABLY SWEET’ SWEET WHITE WINES

Château Loupiac-Gaudiet: A Legacy of Excellence Since the 18th Century

The Sanfourche Family Legacy

At Château Loupiac-Gaudiet, the story has been unfolding since the 18th century. Today, it is Daniel Sanfourche and his wife who run the estate. Daniel works in the vineyards and cellars with the support of consulting oenologist Mathieu Huguet, while Marie-Laurence manages the administrative side of the business. Since 2014, their son Nicolas has joined them at the estate, focusing on communication and commercial activities.

A Winning Trio

Marc Ducau, the grandson of the vigneron who bought Château Loupiac-Gaudiet in 1919 and who is affectionately known as "the soul of the château" by the family, watches proudly as his descendants secure the future of the family property. For this "winning trio," as Marie-Laurence likes to call them, everything seems to be a matter of passion: Daniel claims he was like Obélix, "falling into wine when he was young." While Marie-Laurence did not come from a winemaking background, she became involved in wine when the opportunity to work alongside her husband arose. "As for Nicolas, he pursued studies in communication, but it took him less than 24 hours to accept our offer to work with us at the estate!" says his mother.

Château Loupiac-Gaudiet: Well-Balanced Sweet Wines

Spanning 29 hectares of vineyards, Château Loupiac-Gaudiet’s estate includes 25 hectares of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, dedicated to producing sweet wines under the Loupiac appellation. Balance is the key for Daniel and Marie-Laurence, who are committed to producing wines with beautiful acidity. "Our wines are sweet but not too concentrated, making them easy to drink for sweet wines. We are determined to balance the richness of the liqueur with a fresh and fruity character."

This balance and lightness are also reflected in the alcohol/sugar ratio. The sweet wines produced at Château Loupiac-Gaudiet have an average alcohol content of 13 degrees, slightly lower compared to most Loupiac wines, which typically range between 14 and 15 degrees.

While the white wines from Château Loupiac-Gaudiet are naturally perfect for festive dishes like foie gras, their "reasonably sweet" profile also makes them a great match for appetizers with small cubes of Comté cheese or strong cheeses such as Livarot and Munster, as well as desserts featuring passion fruit, such as tarts or ice logs. These pairings could inspire your New Year's Eve menu…