Twenty years ago, Ilja Gort bought a run down wine chateau near Bordeaux, which, over a period of ten years, he managed to transform into a highly successful winery. Today his La Tulipe wines are winning numerous awards at international wine fairs and are for sale all over the world. Surviving France is Gort's humorous account of his first years as a chateau owner and wine maker. In his unique witty way he details the ins and outs of life at a French wine chateau. He unearths well kept secrets about wine and reveals what it took to make his dream come true. Sometimes lighthearted, sometimes profound, but always sincere. A delightful book, and a must-read for every francophile out there. More than 250.000 copies sold in Holland