ABOUT US

Domaine de Lauroux is owned by Nicolas and Karen Kitchener, a British couple who left their respective careers to pursue their dream of creating quality, affordable wines in the Cotes de Gascogne Appellation d'Origine. The wines are now widely distributed across France, Belgium, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Since purchasing the vineyard in 2004, Nick and Karen have focussed on maintaining the reputation Domaine de Lauroux has held for generations - that of producing high-quality,award-winning wines, Floc de Gascogne and Bas-Armagnac.  Significant investment has been made to up-grade equipment in the winery and to equip the vineyard with improved warehousing facilities and IT and communications essential to work efficiently with a wide customer-base. The domaine has extended its visitor facilities and offers a purpose-built tasting room to encourage “at the door” sales. In 2008 further investment will be made in visitor facilities.  

Domaine de Lauroux supports sustainable wine-making and all aspects of vineyard operations are regularly reviewed to assess and improve environmental practices and performance in measurable ways including consumption of electricity and water.   In 2006, electricity consumption at Lauroux was reduced by 30% by reviewing consumption patterns for machine process including filtration and bottling and cooling, and modifying as appropriate. Management of natural resources is a priority at Lauroux – 15 acres of forest provide Lauroux (including the holiday accommodation), with all the wood needed for heating throughout the Autumn and Winter months. Rainwater is collected for irrigation of the market garden and orchards and cleaning down of machinery and external surfaces. The Kitcheners also offer guided tours of the vineyard and tutored tastings.  For groups of 10 or more, a 4 course lunch can be provided, complemented with the Domaine's Floc de Gascogne, wines and Armagnac. Please contact karen@lauroux.com for more details.

Nicolas and Karen Kitchener

Nick has over 20 years experience working in the IT industry. With employers including Cable and Wireless and Unisys, Nick’s experience of customer and project management led to success winning and implementing multi-million pound projects across Europe. In August 2001, Nick left corporate life behind and put his skills to the test running a property-development company, consulting on local government IT projects and as co-owner of an on-line optical supplier.

Karen spent a little longer in corporate life, having over 25 years experience with global players including Vodafone Group plc, Cable & Wireless and Toshiba, and latterly 8 years at BT plc – managing BT’s global relationships with clients such as ICI plc, Johnson Controls, Alcan plc, United Technologies Corporation and a host of other industry giants. Karen remains eternally grateful to BT plc for the valuable experience gained in sales, business planning, management and of course dealing with difficult customers who are always right! In 2007 Karen passed the WSET Intermediate level examination with “distinction” and is currently studying for the WSET Advanced level.

In May 2003, Nick and Karen finally decided to stop talking and do something about living and working abroad. 
Their ultimate dream of owing a vineyard in France and producing quality, affordable wines was realised in October 2003 with the signing of the "Promesse Unilaterale d'Achat" (exchange of contracts) for Domaine de Lauroux.