The Faces of Bordeaux - Marc Verpaalen, Château Giscours and Château du Tertre

Please join us as we introduce you to

The Faces of Bordeaux

At The Bordeaux Concierge, our aim is to introduce our clients to the real Bordeaux. This includes meeting the people that make Bordeaux what it is today. As part of this effort, we will bring these vibrant personalities to our audience at home through our new series, The Faces of Bordeaux.

Marc Verpaalen
Director of Hospitality and Events
Château Giscours and Château du Tertre

How long have you been in your role at Château Giscours and Château du Tertre?

I have been in charge of hospitality services and events at our two classified growths, Château Giscours and Château du Tertre, since 2005.

What has been your career path to date?

I started my career in 1987 in my native country, the Netherlands, as a liaison officer in the army (Artillery). During my holidays, I traveled to France with my blue Citroën 2CV to go windsurfing on the Atlantic Coast. I fell in love with France, especially the Bordeaux region, and incidentally also with a French girl. As a result, I made the decision to settle in the capital of Aquitaine. This required a radical career move. In 1992, I started my first permanent role in a four-star hotel that was part of the French hotel chain Concorde. I was working night shifts, leaving time to study marketing in the hospitality industry through Cornell and Open Universiteit, NL. As a commercial manager, I finished my career in 2005 at the Hotel Burdigala in Bordeaux. From there I moved to Giscours and du Tertre.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Without any hesitation, I most enjoy the opportunity to meet a large variety of interesting people who are eager to learn about our wines and the "behind the scenes" of our properties. Among them are passionate wine lovers, wine-professionals, and also newbies. I consider it a privilege finding myself around a table with a mix of guests of different nationalities. Most of the time people clearly have a preference for a hedonic experience over technical analysis. But I like to adapt and try to offer a bit of both.

Added to that pleasure and being a disciple of fine food, we have our private chef, Benjamin Laurent. The chef has honed his skills in great places like Les Ambassadeurs, the restaurant of Hotel le Crillon in Paris, Michel Guérard’s restaurant, Eugénie les Bains, as well as Garopapilles in Bordeaux. Matching Benjamin’s cuisine with great Margaux wines is a spectacular epicurean experience!

“I most enjoy the opportunity to meet a large variety of interesting people who are eager to learn about our wines and the “behind the scenes” of our properties.”

In your view, what makes Château Giscours and Château du Tertre special?

Some things in life extend beyond ordinary experiences. Château Giscours and Château du Tertre are such places. Once enjoyed it can only be equaled by return. Our two properties, classified growths of the Margaux appellation, are in the hands of the same family - the Dutch Albada-Jelgersma family. Geographically speaking, the domains touch each other, yet their terroir and, thus their wines, the architecture, the history, and the environment are very different. Our idea behind welcoming visitors at the property is that through home-made hospitality we can make lifetime ambassadors. We like to give our guests a taste of the art de vivre à la française. There is much to discover by visiting du Tertre and Giscours!

Did you know that Château Giscours has its own cricket club? Isn’t that special ? No Pimms around the pitch, but we do have a great Rosé!

What would people be surprised to know about you?

My age! 😊 Haha (not pretending I'm Dorian Gray though..)

What profession other than your own would you love to attempt?

Any well written texts and books have my appreciation. I would have enjoyed being a writer, but I possess neither the courage, the time, and most probably, the talent to make a credible attempt. The rare lines I write will forever be part of my secret garden.

“Some things in life extend beyond ordinary experiences. Château Giscours and Château du Tertre are such places. ”

What is your favorite thing about Bordeaux?

Difficult not to answer this question by citing one of the many (true) clichés. Personally, I love strolling along the Quais on a Sunday morning and having some oysters and white wine at the Marché des Chartrons.

What is the number one thing visitors to Bordeaux should do/see while they are here?

Before getting to Bordeaux it might be a good idea to contact The Bordeaux Concierge for them to create your tailor-made program. Being the Treasurer of the Bordeaux Tourism & Congress board, I must also absolutely recommend the purchase of a Bordeaux City Pass. This pass gives you access to many museums, attractions, tours and transport. Another suggestion would be to hop on a bus or get a private driver to get you to Château Giscours and Château du Tertre for a tour and tasting.

Château Giscours, located in the Margaux appellation, was recognized as a Classified Third Growth in the 1855 classification. The 102 hectare vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Château du Tertre, a renowned vineyard with a fifth growth ranking in the 1855 classification, sits on top of one of the highest and most beautiful rises in the Margaux appellation, 12,5 miles from Bordeaux. The 80 hectare Chateau du Terte vineyard is also planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Tours, tastings, and thematic visits are available at both châteaux. From the vine to the bottle, learn and exchange about the wine making process or improve your knowledge about wine, the Margaux appellation and classified growths.

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Faces of BordeauxTimothy OlsonApril 25, 2020Chateau