Our History on familiar terms with the History of France

The Côtes de Duras vineyards have been given one of the three Appellations d´Origine Contrôlée in the Lot-et-Garonne region, alongside Buzet and Côtes du Marmandais. They border the Entre-Deux-Mers, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux and Bergerac appellation vineyards.

The Appellation extends over approximately 2,000 hectares; it occupies the plateaux and the slopes south of the hillsides overlooking the Dropt valley, to the north-east of the territorial department. 

It groups together 15 towns and villages: Auriac-sur-Dropt, Baleyssagues, Duras, Esclottes, Loubès-Bernac, Moustier, Pardaillan, Saint-Astier, Saint-Jean-de-Duras, Saint-Sernin, Sainte-Colombe-de-Duras, Sauvetat-du-Dropt, Savignac-de-Duras, Soumensac and Villeneuve-de-Duras.

The rapid development of vineyards dates from the 12th century.  Duras wines won their reputation thanks to the support of renowned people, such as Pope Clement V or the Kings of England, whose lords occupied the region for three centuries, to the point of being accused of "harvesting the Aquitaine area".  In his time, François I also saluted the Duras “nectar”.  However, the 18th century was undoubtedly the greatest period of splendour not only for the history of the Duras region but also for the history of the local Durfort family (three dukes of Duras having been appointed Marshal of France).
The Côtes des Duras vineyards were one of the first to be given the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée in 1937, the highest form of recognition for the work carried out by its wine growers.

Today, nearly 210 wine growers carry on the traditions, offering dry white, sweet white, red and rosé wines, all produced from characteristic native soil in which marly or molassic soil soils as well as limestone or clay-limestone hillsides predominate.  Under the influence of an oceanic climate, Duras vineyards benefit from hotter, dryer weather than its Bordeaux neighbours, enabling the wines to mature in the best of conditions.