Our Story
From corporate careers to a wine estate in Cahors.
We are Jurjen Verschoor and Franca Bindels. Neither of us comes from a traditional winemaking background. After 20+ years of international careers and city life in the Netherlands, we chose a different life in rural France.
At Château Cantelauze Duravel, we found a place where vineyards, wine and people naturally come together.
Jurjen brings a passion for powerful wines and vineyard work. Franca shapes the way guests experience the estate, from presentation to the smallest details of a visit. Together, we are building on its history with care, character and a clear focus on making wines people enjoy.
We look forward to welcoming you for a wine tasting, a guided visit or simply a good conversation among the vines.
Our Estate
Cantelauze is an ancient Occitan name for a vibrant landscape — a place where the wind moves across the stones and the lark sings above the vines. Today, the lark remains the symbol of our estate.
The 19th-century Maison de Maître of Château Cantelauze Duravel is surrounded by vineyards in the Lot Valley. Between the two World Wars, the estate became a wine domaine, and wine remains at the heart of the château today.
Next to the maison are the winery and the caveau de dégustation, where our wines are made, aged and tasted. Authentic in atmosphere and supported by modern techniques, we combine the estate's wine heritage with a relaxed and contemporary approach to hospitality.
Visit us for wine tastings, guided tours and direct wine sales.
Our Domaine
Our domaine covers 10 hectares of organically farmed vines. Malbec is at the heart of our vineyards, alongside smaller parcels of Merlot and white grape varieties including Sauvignon Gris and Gros Manseng.
Every plot has its own character. We adapt our work in the vineyard and winery to the rhythm of the season, the land and each grape variety. This work is carried out under the guidance of our experienced vigneron, Laurent Fleurat, whose knowledge helps shape each vintage.
Our vines grow across different soil types, from clay-limestone soils that bring structure and depth to clay-loam soils that favour fruit and softness.
Influenced by both Atlantic and Mediterranean climates, our organically grown grapes produce wines that reflect the diversity of Cahors: powerful, refined and approachable.
