Legendary Bordeaux Château in France Changes Ownership Following Legal Battle

The Albada Jelgersma family now hold complete ownership of Château Giscours

At Château Giscours in Bordeaux, the protracted and complex dispute between the Albada Jelgersma family and the descendants of the previous proprietor, who retained a significant number of shares in the Margaux property, has finally been settled. The Margaux property will henceforth be under the complete control of the Dutch family.

Buyer of Château Giscours, a classified development in Margaux, Eric Albada Jelgersma, a Dutch real estate and food tycoon, did not buy the actual winery from Nicolas Tari in 1995. Rather, he paid $31 million for a 51 percent share in the enterprise that owned a farming lease for Giscours’ vineyards and the right to market its wines. This original contract enabled him to use the land and manufacture the wine, but it did not grant him ownership of the structures or a majority of the vineyards.

Fights in court followed Tari’s death in 2001, as Albada became entangled in disagreements with Tari’s son and daughter. Although Albada Jelgersma’s company, Société d’Exploitation du Château Giscours SAS, managed the brand and sales rights, GFA du Château Giscours, another company, owned the structures and vines.

Albada Jelgersma passed away in 2018, aged 79, leaving the enterprise to his children, Dennis, Derk and Valérie Albada Jelgersma. Since 1995, Giscours has been managed by Alexander van Beek, who initially joined as a 24-year-old intern fresh out of business school. Despite successfully improving the quality and reputation of Giscours’ wine, the shared ownership of the enterprise posed a constant challenge.

By the end of 2023, Van Beek and the Albada Jelgersma siblings announced that they had successfully obtained control over the entire estate.

“The GFA du Château Giscours entered into liquidation with the liquidators representing the Tari Family selling all their assets to the Société d’Exploitation du Château Giscours SAS,” Van Beek disclosed to Wine Spectator. “The Albada Jelgersma family has always desired to acquire all the lands of Giscours. This new chapter provides fresh developmental opportunities for the property. Giscours stands as one of the few estates established in a single stretch, surrounded by a pristine ecosystem.”

This impressive ecosystem comprises 395 acres of vineyards—247 acres within the Margaux appellation and 148 acres inside the Haut-Médoc appellation. Also, it includes over 494 acres of forest, meadows, lakes and a river. The winery manufactures three types of wines: La Sirène de Giscours and Château Giscours from the Margaux appellation, and Haut-Médoc Giscours from the Haut-Médoc appellation.

For wine consumers, the deal likely means quality will continue to improve. Van Beek and his team often needed either legal approval or dramatic workarounds to make improvements at the estate.

The family also owns—and Van Beek manages—Caiarossa in Tuscany, where they have 271 acres of land. Asked if there are any further plans for acquisitions, Van Beek said, “No direct plans for the moment, but we are looking into different regions.”

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

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