Louis Latour Agencies

The Latour family has been based in Aloxe-Corton in Burgundy since 1768.  A negociant business was founded in 1797 and based in Beaune since 1867.  The business has been passed from father to son for generations.  Seventh generation Louis-Fabrice Latour is currently running the company.  Maison Louis Latour now own vineyards in the Ardèche, Var, Chablis and Beaujolais.

Back in the 19^th century barrels were not only used as they are today, to age and ferment wine, but they were also the only way in which to ship wine.  Bottles were usually too fragile and their weight increased transportation costs excessively.  

Barrel-making has been a time-honoured tradition at Maison Latour for more than a century. It continues today with over 2,000 barrels being made each year, half of which are exported to other wineries worldwide.  The oak originates from the Allier and Vosges forests and ages outside for 30 months before being used to make a barrel.  Barrels are made by craftsman with the staves being pieced together and carefully shaped into a barrel form before being toasted over an open fire.  Chestnut hoops are traditionally placed around the barrel to protect it.

Louis Latour introduced Chardonnay into the Ardèche in the late 70s and has been producing Chardonnay since the 1980’s using the same vinification techniques as in Burgundy.  Previously Chardonnay was unknown in the Ardèche region, but now there is a modern winery, near the archaeological site of Alba la Romaine, with a tasting room.