Chateau des Matards & Domaine de la Margotterie, Christophe Terrigeol

THE STORY OF TERRIGEOL'S VINEYARDS

Terrigeol’s Vineyards are, first and foremost, a family’s story. Dating back many generations.

Nowadays, three generations are working together in vineyards.

1964 : EVERYTHING BEGAN FOLLOWING AN UNION

Following the wedding of Annick Maillet and Jean-Pierre Terrigeol, the merger of two vineyards along the estuary of Gironde was born.

They took the decision to reserve the development of the vineyard for the production of Cognac, a noble alcohol and also for the “Pineau des Charentes”, symbol of the region.

1982 : A PROMISING START

After the birth of their son, Christophe in 1966, the beginning of the 1980s saw the starting of business. Indeed, in 1982, the first bottling on the property occurred. First of all, they chose to focus their sales on private individuals in order to preserve the spirit of sharing and conviviality.

1984 : A FAMILY STRENGTH

Shortly after the beginning of the commercialization, the son, Christophe, took the decision of working on the vineyard. Quickly, it became the main driver of the conduct of the vineyard and the wine-making process, creating at the same time new vintages. Following his marriage in 1992 with Marie-Claude Gabriel, she decided to join the winery as well and became directly in charge of the administrative tasks.

1998 : THE VINEYARD’S REVOLUTION

The production of cognac knew an important turning point with the setting up of a still Charentais, internationally renowned in the distillation and the production of high-degree alcohol.

In addition, the improvement of Terrigeol’s products was the focus one in order to satisfy and create customer loyalty.

• The Charentais Distillation Process

2016: THE RELIEF WILL BE BEAUTIFUL

At the age of 21 years old, Quentin, born of the union of Christophe Terrigeol and Marie-Claude Gabriel, came back on the family’s vineyard after wine studies full of internships in order to acquire the most possible competences.

Bringing new ideas for the vineyard, he currently works in close partnership with his father, Christophe.

The second son, younger of a year, Nathan, will join the family’s business at the end of his studies.

TERRIGEOL'S VINEYARDS

Nowadays, Terrigeol’s family is overseeing a vineyard of 88 hectares subdivided in 3 designations:

- 60 hectares in AOC Blaye and Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

- 28 hectares in AOC Cognac and AOC Pineau des Charentes.

The wine is marketed as “Chateau des Matards” contrary to the Cognac and the Pineau des Charentes which are known under the name of “Domaine de la Margotterie”.

LE CHATEAU DES MATARDS

The vineyard Chateau des Matards is composed of 50 hectares in designation Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux and Bordeaux.

25 hectares of red grapes are dedicated to produce red and rosé wine. The Merlot is planting on sandy-gravel soils but also on gravelly-clay and calcareous-clay terroirs. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a grape variety which is raising on gravelly-clay grounds only.

25 hectares of white grapes are used for producing white wine. There are mostly composed of sauvignon blanc on a sandy-gravel and gravelly-clay soil and only one hectare of muscadelle on a sandy-gravel terroir.

All of these terroirs allowed us to vinify different wines.

LE DOMAINE DE LA MARGOTTERIE

Domaine de la Margotterie is composed of 28 hectares in designation AOC Cognac and AOC Pineau des Charentes.

80 % of the Charente’s vine is white Ugni, it is the most renowned grape variety for the production of brandy. It is true that the white ugni is producing an acidity which is turning out to be really important for the preservation and the ageing process of the brandy. Indeed, the cognac is a spirits based only on wine without any preservatives agents added. That is the reason why, it is absolutely necessary to select a grape which permitting an optimal oak barrel ageing.

The secondary scents of the White Ugni are very interesting during brandy distillation, gathered with some copper; they enable to obtain a high aromatic quality product.

Moreover, the presence of the white merlot and the Colombard are really an advantage for highlighting the production of Pineau des Charentes.

The soils of the Domaine de la Margotterie are mainly silty-clay, which can be an advantage or the contrary. Indeed, even if the clay grounds are renowned as being fertile, allowing the vines raising, nevertheless, because of their mineral wealth, they are really hard to work on due to their waterproof and thick’s hallmark.

GRAPES VARIETIES - BLAYE CÔTES DE BORDEAUX

• The Merlot (60%): A fruity grape variety which permits a young wine tasting.
• The Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) brings fine and spicy tannins which contribute to the structure and the development of aromas after few years in bottle.
• The Cabernet Franc and the Malbec (10%) take part in the frame structure and ensure a good aging.
• The Sauvignon is the grape variety par excellence of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, designation in which it is the most used one. In general, gathered with others, it is illustrated by broom and peach aromas when it is vivificated and raising in tank.
• The Muscadelle and the Sémillon bring greasy and fruits.
• The White Merlot and the Colombard bring up strong scents and a a soft sweetness.

THE CLIMATE

The region of the vineyard enjoys as a whole a temperate climate. The estuary generates a quite high humidity rate, reinforced by maritime entrances coming from the ocean. This, associated with a national above-average duration of sunshine, that is to say around 240 sunny days yearly, gives to the region a very favorable climate for the production of high quality wines.

Philosophie

The Terrigeol family set their mind on producing wine through sustainable agriculture for now four generations. They want to promote their terroirs and also lost grape varietals such as Merlot Blanc. They produce wines and liquors that are well crafted and humbly priced. They were granted the HVE certification along with Terra Vitis. Today, Quentin and Nathan, Christophe’s sons, joined their parents, the eldest invested himself into the Chai while the youngest focus on the commercial development.

They have both their eyes set on turning this already established sustainable farming chateau into an organic one. They invested in new machineries and new type of container to elaborate more sophisticated wines. They want to expand their network with entity with the same mindset as Celerier’s Cellar : attracted to small family run products, sustainable farming techniques and incredible value !