Léo, Jonathan, Carol, Thierry, Roger
At Domaine des Claires, we've been growing vines for 6 generations. We have a long tradition of winegrowing, which has always been carried out alongside oyster farming.
However, since 1970, wine-growing has become our main activity, even though we still refine Marennes Oléron oysters in order to keep the oyster beds in good condition.
Until 2008, the estate mainly produced Cognac with character. In fact, we are the only distillers on the Arvert peninsula.
In 2010, Jonathan Guillon, with a degree in oenology under his belt, returned to the estate. The plan to diversify and sell direct was taking shape.
2011 saw the first bottling of white and rosé wine, rosé Pineau and Cognac. The boutique opens and the range expands.
Planting continues year after year. The old Ugni blanc vines, planted at high density, have been grassed over to reduce their vigour and produce high quality sweet musts for the Pineaux.
Today we grow 7 grape varieties: Ugni blanc, Colombard, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet-franc and Cabernet sauvignon.
From 2018 to 2020, the whole team is committed to organic farming. After 3 years of conversion, 2021 will mark the certification of our AB wines, and 2023 that of our cognacs.
Oyster farming is another adventure. But we hope that retail sales of the wines in the boutique will soon enable us to revive this know-how.