You’ll know by now I champion the many dynamic women in Bordeaux, and a few familiar names pop up regularly. One of them is Marie-Laure Lurton.  Marie-Laure first appeared on the blog in 2019, when I was interviewing women in Bordeaux about their approach to wine and wellness for the launch of The Drinking Woman’s Diet. She’s a shining example, thanks to her passion for running, and it helps that she’s married to a doctor. 

Marie-Laure is a member of the Lurton dynasty, a name you can’t escape in Bordeaux. She is one of 11 siblings, almost all of whom are in the Bordeaux wine business. An oenologist by training, today she owns and runs two Médoc chateaux: Château La Tour de Bessan in Margaux and Château de Villegeorge in Haut-Médoc.  After graduating as an oenologist in 1984,  she worked with her  father, Lucien, and in  1986 with her brother Henri, now at Château Branne Cantenac  before taking over sole responsibility of her own vineyards in 1992.

More recently I shared how Marie-Laure opened her tower in 2021, the ‘Tour’ that gives its name to her Margaux property. The tower was built in 1250, when Aquitaine was under English rule, and they built defences against the French along the Gironde Estuary. The tower is in Soussans, the most northerly village of the Margaux appellation. Abandoned for years the tower was bought by Lucien Lurton along with the vines in 1972.  

In 2020, Marie-Laure renovated the tower, the rooftop terrace now offers views across the woods to the water – a place to discover the biodiversity in Margaux, something the appellation is keen to preserve with the ‘Margaux, Terroir de Biodiversité’ initiative. Renovation included the preservation of the natural environment surrounding it, one example of Marie-Laure’s commitment to sustainability. She obtained Terra Vitis sustainable agriculture certification in 2003 and, since 2017, both properties are certified HVE3.

Ancient history to ultra-modern 

Marie-Laure’s initiatives aren’t limited to ancient buildings. When she took over the two properties, Château La Tour de Bessan didn’t have an independent wine making facility. In 1999, to remedy this, she worked with architect Vincent Defos de Rau to transform a disused 1934 telecommunications building. Together they created a  striking metallic structure that contrasts brilliantly with the more traditional chateaux of the appellation. 

By 2022, Marie-Laure was thinking about renovation again, always looking to improve wine quality while embracing more efficient wine making techniques, improving working conditions for the team and making more sustainable use of water and electricity.

They moved into this new cellar for the 2024 harvest, after ten months of working closely with local companies and craftsmen, once again under the supervision of Vincent Defos du Rau (his last project before retiring).

Doubling the foot print of the cellar, the 16 stainless steel and 34 cement tanks are easier, safer and more efficient to work with, also allowing more precise, plot-by-plot vinification.  Air pulse replaces pumps for a more delicate extraction, while using less manpower and electricity. The stainless steel vats have a polished mirror finish that saves water during cleaning and a clean, efficient sampling system – the devil is in the detail. 

Always sustainability aware, materials were salvaged from the previous cellars and a long sky-light brings natural light into the cellar. The new building blends perfectly with the original, thanks to the metallic facades designed to gently rust, giving an industrial chic feel. I’m thrilled she kept the stunning electric blue of the original cellars too. 

A taste of place 

Despite the ultra-modern appearance of the new cellar, the property is deeply imbedded in the history of the appellation and in the typicity of the Margaux style. The 36ha are spread across three different ‘communes’, or villages, of the Margaux appellation: Soussans, Arsac,- and  Cantenac, adding complexity and diversity through deep gravel and clay ‘terroir’, with grape varieties and rootstock adapted to each plot. Planting is dominated by Merlot at almost 60%, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon and a small plot of Petit Verdot planted in 2012. 

Open doors

The new cellars opened to visitors just before the harvest in August 2024. The property has always been open to visitors, they were among the first to introduce wine and chocolate pairings, working with local  Mademoiselle Margaux. Marie-Laure also introduced blending workshops and worked with neighbouring women-led properties Château Prieuré-Lichine, Château Kirwan and Château Rauzan-Gassies to create Une Journée Gourmande à Margaux back in 2012.


The renovation offers a new opportunity to welcome guests. The platform, previously the first floor of the old vat room, is now an elegant reception room running from front to back of the winery, with beautiful oak floors and a terrace offering stunning views across the vines. The space hosts ‘after-work’ drinks throughout the summer, regular art exhibitions, private functions and even a Christmas market 

You can visit without an appointment from 10am until 5pm, Monday to Friday, to discover the new cellars, taste not only the wines of Château La Tour de Bessan, but also those of her Haut-Médoc property, Château de Villegeorge. 

Keeping it in the family 

Just as Marie-Laure Lurton learnt from working with her father, Lucien, she now works with her son Gabriel, who helps manage the team. They must be doing something right as their cellar master, Jean-Luc Brégille, has been with them since 2000.

Her daughter, Joséphine, a graphic designer, also lends a hand. She created the label for Harmonie, a limited-edition multi-vintage cuvée from Château Villegeorge, released to celebrate the property’s 50th anniversary. This original  blend of three vintages represents three generations, from the late Lucien Lurton to his grandchildren. Joséphine also created the label for their fun rosé. ‘Melodie d’Été.’ What is it about Margaux and Mermaids? 

Château la Tour de Bessan is a wonderful example of how Bordeaux blends the old and the new, and Marie-Laure is living proof of how a traditional family can, and does, innovate within a very traditional appellation. I highly recommend discovering the new cellars on your next Bordeaux visit. Prepare to be surprised 

My little black book

As some names do pop up on the blog, I’m curating a ‘A Little Black Book’: a  directory of some of my favourite winemakers, wineries, wines and places to visit, stay and dine. 


I hope this will save you scrolling through blog posts looking for that thing/wine/place/person you vaguely remember reading about. I’ll also reference the relevant blog posts to understand why they merit a mention. If you haven’t signed up for the blog yet, please do and I’ll let you know when it’s published.

If you think I should broaden my reach, or if there’s somewhere you think I should visit, a wine I really should taste, or something I should do  a deeper dive into, do let me know. Bordeaux is constantly offering opportunities for new discoveries – I’d hate to miss anything!

In the meantime, please this share with friends keen to learn more about what’s new in Bordeaux.

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