Marco Polo Holding & Trading Co., Inc.

The Monte Lauro Vineyards
New Individual Micro-Leasing Program

The Micro-Leasing Concept:
The Monte Lauro Vineyards Micro-Leasing has always been envisioned as an opportunity for members to travel to and explore the beautiful, “other” south of France, by themselves or with special friends, for them to meet new friends, or simply to shake off the dust of everyday and broaden their cultural experiences, claiming for themselves a place to, not only stay, but to live, in the Languedoc.  All that along with the sense of pride that comes with producing their very own wine. 

• Access

If one word were to describe the Micro-Leasing concept, it is “access:” getting what most people only dream of having, moving up to the “A” list.  When Marco Polo Holding & Trading Co. President Michael C. Belanger introduced this unique idea of life-style (with a capital “L”) connected to the beautiful and romantic south of France, he did it in partnership with the title-bearer from the venerable Montlaur family—French aristocracy and owners of the oldest continuously-owned vineyards in the world--of a 1,000-year-old chateau at it’s heart, surrounded by vineyards; Monte Lauro Vineyards.

• You have “access”, All the Time

And, with a vision of a new kind of community, Mr. Belanger (he’ll want you to call him Michael) extends that ownership to you through the innovative Individual Micro-Lease Program: to lovers of wine, history, and joi de vivre everywhere.  As a Micro-Lease-holder, you have access to all that the Chateau de Montlaur, Le Ferme du Vieux Chateau, and Monte Lauro Vineyards have to offer, all the time: your vines, your wine, your accommodations at the “Old Farm,” your travel itinerary in the south of France, your home base for travel throughout France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the Mediterranean, your learning experiences in regional cooking, writing, and photography, and much more.

• Community

Unlike “time-share,” which can be isolating, the experience at the Chateau de Montlaur for all Micro-Lease-holders and their guests is welcoming, communal, participatory, while still allowing time and space for quiet, individual exploration.
Perhaps the most time-honored tradition of European life is dining together.  Dishes are selected by any among the Micro-Lease-holders assembled at any particular time, fresh produce and meats are procured from village markets, prepared by all (or talented designates), and shared by all—a world family—in front of the great stone hearth, or in the 600-year-old farm courtyard under the stars, of course, with wine; bountiful, fine wine.

• The Vineyard Experience

Every individual Micro-Lease-holder has direct access to all these resources and delights, and a case of wine, held in reserve for them at the vineyard every year.  If Micro-Leaseholders so choose their case can be converted into 100 Euros of credit every year or, if you wish, your own labels can be produced and applied to them and arrangements can be made to ship them directly to your home or any legal place for claiming personal wines. 

Becoming a Monte Lauro Vineyards Individual Micro-Lease Holder:

• Who is Eligible?

Anyone of legal age, and their spouses or partners.

Levels of Participation:

• Connoisseur Level

While the initial Individual Micro-Lease is at the Connoisseur’s Level for the Flagship Vineyard (Monte Lauro), it is anticipated that a new level will be introduced every few years until all levels are available for participation.   Generally speaking, the introduction of levels is intended to reflect an increasing level of participation in the operations and a commensurate level of interest and investment in the activities of the vineyard.  Increasing levels of patronage will result in increasing value of benefits available to the higher level participants.
Future levels of Individual Micro-Leasing:

• Sommelier Level, Oenologist Level, Vintner Level

Pricing:

• Connoisseur Level:  $1400 US for three year Micro-Lease, $350 US for spousal/partner supplement.

Benefits of Micro-Leasing at Monte Lauro Vineyards include:

The Micro-Lease Advantage
We provide you with accommodations at La Ferme du Vieux Chateau ¹, in the (slightly rustic) living accommodations that we have installed in the 600-year-old farm buildings just below the 10th-century castle—the Chateau de Montlaur.  If, for any reason, these accommodations are occupied with fellow Micro-Lease-Holders, we have arrangements with local Gites, who are prepared to put you and your guests up very comfortably—and at the same under-market prices we provide at La Ferme du Vieux Chateau itself.  Your first week in the south of France at Monte Lauro Vineyards will cost you nothing and visits thereafter far, far less than half the seasonal market price; and that’s if you visit by yourself.

Other Benefits:

• the right to your pro rata share of vineyard production based on total vines, generally one case per micro-lease, stored at the vineyard or shipped per the directions of the Micro-Leaseholder at the Micro-Leaseholder’s expense,
• the right to have your own custom-designed labels affixed to your wines,
• the right to visit and stay at La Ferme du Vieux Chateau, or in participating nearby Gites under the terms and conditions of the Micro-Lease Agreement,
• the right to participate in the various activities, both scheduled and unscheduled, occurring at the properties at the time of your visit, 
• the right to visit anytime, tour the vineyards, and stay for meals with the staff and guests (the pitch-in rules always apply),
• the right to purchase one gift lease, a Micro-Lease configured for one year of participation for family and friends,
• participation-in-perpetuity, you will always be welcome back even if you elect not to renew your Micro-Lease.  Think of this as your own ancestral home in France, 
• the right to reserve and utilize any space and facilities for special events now and in the future
• the first right to upgrade to higher levels of lease ownership that may be limited by availability
• The right to use your membership at other network vineyards.
• Beneficial Rates:  70/100 euros single/double occupancy for future trips.
• Wine deals exclusive to you.

 What To Do While there:
The Vineyard Experience lets you do it all, or nothing at all.  There are programs:

• A two-hour course in vineyard management.
• A three-hour course in wine tasting with local sommeliers.
• A four-hour course in wine blending.
• Walking tours of the Chateau and the Montaud countryside.
• Visiting local markets and antiques fairs
• A Memoir Writing Program.
• Photography Workshops.
• A cooking school: The Chez Sophie Cooking Experience at Monte Lauro Vineyards with Paul K. Parker.
• Two- and four-hour archaeology courses at the Chateau, a Federally authorized dig and historic site.
• Wine tours throughout the Languedoc, Chateauneuf-de-Pape, and Bordeaux.

There might be beach days (you can see the Mediterranean from the Chateau), area festivals, always a variety of dining choices, and time to just kick back and relax. 

Being There—At Your Vineyard:
This “business” was conceived to seek out and find certain passionate individuals and offer them the opportunity to become part of a new kind of community, one in which a shared love of place might bring about a rebirth of sorts for this ancient but beautiful region.  I will not lie, if you come to Montlaur you may well fall in love with it and, if you do, you may find yourself coming back again and again.  You may well leave your mark on this place, a mark that may last thousands of years.  We want you in Montlaur,  to be hands-on with your vines, with the farm and the Chateau.  We want you to immerse yourself in your own personal vineyard experience.  And to share ours with you as well.  Something truly amazing could happen!

Marco Polo Holding & Trading Company, Inc.
Marco Polo Holding & Trading Co. Inc. is a New York corporation, and the parent company of Monte Lauro Vineyards.  The US home office is at 35 Hopeful Lane, Gansevoort, NY 12831.

Monte Lauro Vineyards
Monte Lauro Vineyards is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marco Polo Holding & Trading Co., Inc.  It’s US office is located at 35 Hopeful Lane, Gansevoort, NY 12831 with international offices in the Hameau de Montlaur at 7, Place de Vieux Chateau, Montaud, Herault, 34160, France.

WELCOME HOME TO MONTLAUR!