History Château Famaey is primarily the story of Luc and Marc, two brave Belgian childhood friends who once shared the same dream: producing wine in the beautiful Cahors region. In 2001, their dream became reality when they became the owners of a 36 hectare vineyard in Puy l'Evêque, on the sunny terraces of the Lot Valley. Maarten, Luc's son, to whom the paternal passion was passed on, joined the team in 2003 and eventually became winemaker in 2007. Vineyard: In the heart of the Cahors appellation, the estate extends over 40 hectares of vineyards, located on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd terraces of the Lot Valley. The vineyard enjoys an exceptional clay and gravel soil and an abundance of sunshine. The plots on the 1st terrace are used to produce the IGP Côtes du Lot wines, while the plots of the 2nd and 3rd terrace (more complex terroir) are ideal for the production of the Cahors wines. Here the Malbec, the historic grape of the appellation, develops all its qualities. Constant care of the vines and respect for nature are the pillars of their growing methods and yields are carefully controlled to produce a rich, honest and authentic grape. The vineyard's best plots are harvested manually, making the harvest a traditional annual celebration. Vinification Manual harvest with low yields. Maceration for 21 days. Aging in egg-shaped barrels for 10 months. At the crossroads of traditions and new techniques, the development of their wine is based on the richness of the grapes and a creative and rigorous know-how... An adventure long shared in the family. We would like to let the winemaker Maarten Luyckx himself speak: My father was a wine merchant in Belgium on a small scale! Only French wine because he was and still is more than fascinated by France. Together with a silent partner, he took the step to grow wine himself in 1998 at the age of 50. Cahors' choice was influenced by the fact that they themselves had a holiday home here in the Lot. First they bought a vineyard on the plateau. After 3 years they switched in 2001 to a better terroir in the Lot valley and since then Château Famaey was born. Famaey is my mother's family name. Started with about 20 hectares and has now grown to around 40 hectares. I first learned my French in Provence and actually ended up here by chance in 2003 and stuck because I met my current wife. Fast, also very passionate about the wine, I have been the winemaker since 2007. Together as a family, we now run Famaey with highs (including recognitions, medals and international fame) and lows (climate, several years of frost damage, covid, difficult and unstable markets etc). Fermentation 100% Malbec Tasting This is a "Modern Cahors". The domain boasts excellent wines, with an emphasis on the fruit and freshness of Malbec ... the emblematic grape of the Cahors appellation. Cahors, an appellation praised for its fruitiness and complexity. Very pure expression of the Malbec grape. Ruby red color. Spicy aromas of licorice with red and black fruits. Pleasant in the mouth with a nice structure and lots of fruit. Fine tannins and a juicy aftertaste. Serve Delicious with a delicious plate of charcuterie, with white and red meat and even with savory salads.