The first references to Château GISCOURS go back to about 1330, in a document which refers to a fortified tower. The estate was sold for 1,000 pounds in 1552, and was already recognised as a winegrowing estate at that time. From then on, there are increasingly numerous documents referring to Château GISCOURS. Cocks and Feret, considered the "Bordeaux Bible", mentions that the wine was served to Louis XIV, who is said to have appreciated it a great deal. In 1789, the château belonged to the Saint-Simon family, from whom it was confiscated by the revolutionary government. There were many owners after this date, including Count de Pescatore, a wealthy Parisian banker, who rebuilt the château in 1847 in preparation for a visit by Empress Eugénie. The quality of Château GISCOURS' wine was acknowledged in the 1855 classification, when it was officially recognised as a 3rd growth. Because it changed hands so frequently, GISCOURS slowly slipped into decline. This period came to an end after the Second World War, when the château was purchased by Nicolas Tari. He undertook a large-scale renovation, not the least of which was the creation of an artificial lake. This helps explain GISCOURS' special micro-climate. One of M. Tari's most important tasks was to find the right ecological balance for the vines. He then completely renovated the château and brought in new viticultural and winemaking equipment. After some financial difficulty, a majority shareholding in the S.A.E du Château GISCOURS was acquired by Eric Albada Jelgersma, and his family. Francophiles going back a very long way, the family fell in love with the Médoc. Ever since they bought the château, they have regularly spent part of their time learning about how to make fine wine. Further investments were made in renovating the vineyard and restoring the buildings. There was also an increase of capital. Eric Albada Jelgersma now owns 99.9% of the S.A.E du Château GISCOURS Visit the Château Giscours website.