Between Bordeaux and Bergerac, a small name struggles to be heard: the Côtes de Duras appellation. In this hilly corner of Lot-et-Garonne, winegrowers who call themselves rebels refuse to disappear with the wine crisis.
Their playing field remains affordable: in the South-West, the median price of vines is around $9,205/ha in 2025, one of the lowest in France after a drop of around 33% since 2020. On these lands, Régis Geoffroy assumes:
Côtes de Duras, rebellious vineyard of Lot-et-Garonne
Above the cellars, the decor is reminiscent of Italy. , smiles Régis Geoffroy, quoted by France 3. The appellation brings together 80 winegrowers on approximately 850 hectares, one that Denis Vuillien describes.
Created in 1937, the AOC was born from a political choice. , recalls Denis Vuillien. This pride fuels a feeling of resistance against our Bordeaux neighbor.
Wine crisis and price of vines in Duras
They are the ones who, in 2010, nicknamed themselves the rebels of Aquitaine. Their budget remains modest, recognizes Denis Vuillien, even if he sees amateurs arriving from Brittany, the North or Belgium.
On the ground, the crisis is visible: in ten years, the Côtes de Duras area has gone from 1,200 to 800 hectares, with vines uprooted for lack of outlets. In Lot-et-Garonne, the median price of vines is around $9,862/ha. To hold on, Yannick Esclavard recalls that and that wine accounts for around 25% of farms also focused on plums, cereals or livestock.
Côtes de Duras, the wine of purchasing power
To seduce, these winegrowers rely on variety. , assures Régis Geoffroy. Clay-limestone terroirs, Sauvignon, Sémillon, Chenin or Muscadelle, Merlot, Cabernet and Malbec make up a patchwork where nearly 35% of producers work organically, compared to 25% on average.
In the glass, the promise remains the same. , smiles Denis Vuillien. The majority of vintages are sold directly at low prices, whereas, as Régis Geoffroy summarizes, the image is of a market in clear decline.
Price of a Côtes de Duras
Bottles sell for between 6 and 20 euros.
Location of Côtes de Duras
The vineyard is located in the northwest of Lot-et-Garonne.
Organic share in Côtes de Duras
Around 35% of domains are organic, compared to 25% on average.
