France, South West

Maison Fontan has been in family hands since 1907. Over four generations, the Fontan family farmed everything from cereals and vegetables to cattle before making a defining decision in 1985 to devote themselves entirely to wine. In doing so, they became one of the very first estates in Côtes de Gascogne to bottle and sell their own wines. Today, the estate is run by brother and sister Sylvain and Nadège Fontan, who grew up among these vineyards and know every corner of the property. Together they combine deep family roots with a refreshingly modern outlook, farming with minimal intervention and a genuine respect for the land. The estate's distinctive boulbène soils - a classic mix of sand, gravel and light clay - are ideally suited to producing bright, expressive wines full of freshness and character. In the cellar, Sylvain allows the fruit to speak for itself, while Nadège shares the family's wines with customers around the world. The result is a range of wonderfully vibrant, approachable wines that perfectly capture why Gascony has become one of France's great sources of everyday drinking.