The Swenden Brickworks were founded in 1873 by Emile Swenden. Emile had three sons, all of whom joined the business. They expanded the company and acquired brickworks in Niel and Steendorp. The Swenden family operated the brickworks until the late 1990s. By then, Eric Swenden, Emile's grandson, was at the helm.

The family sold the three production sites to the Austrian company Wienerberger, the largest brick group in Europe. Wienerberger continued the company's operations for another ten years. However, it was soon determined that the factories in this region were no longer sufficiently profitable. In 2011, they called it quits and closed the factory. The now immensely wealthy Eric Swenden traded the harsh Belgian climate for the south of France. He purchased Château Gautoul and immediately became the owner of the Cahors vineyard.