Château Maillou

Château Maillou is a family-run wine estate situated in Saint-Saturnin, in the heart of the Angoumois region. The vineyard is primarily dedicated to the production of Cognac, whilst retaining a section devoted to IGP Charentais wines. These wines are sold directly from the estate.

The estate is set in a landscape deeply shaped by vineyards and the Charente winemaking tradition.

History and origins

Château Maillou is centred around an ancient château whose history dates back at least to the 15th century. The Maillou estate belonged to the de Mosnac family before passing to the Nesmonds in the 16th century. François Nesmond had the château built in 1580.

The current wine estate is run by the Gauche family. Available information identifies Éric Gauche as the winegrower and distiller at Château Maillou.

Expertise

The vineyard’s primary focus is on the production of Cognac. At the same time, the estate’s winegrowers produce wines under the IGP Charentais appellation, notably using red grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

This dual focus reflects a tradition deeply rooted in the Charente wine-growing region: transforming part of the grape harvest into brandies whilst also producing wines from the local terroir.

Production

• Cognac. Cognac is the estate’s main product. It draws on the traditional expertise of the Charente wine-growing region and Château Maillou’s heritage as a distiller of raw grape spirits.
• Pineau des Charentes. The estate also produces Pineau des Charentes, another of the region’s great wine specialities.
• Charentais IGP wines. Château Maillou produces red and rosé wines. The grape varieties listed include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

The flagship product

Château Maillou’s Cognac is the flagship product that should be your first port of call. It embodies the vineyard’s historic heritage and the estate’s connection to the wine-growing terroir of Saint-Saturnin.

For a comprehensive introduction to Charente’s expertise, the estate’s Pineau and wines also offer the chance to explore other expressions from the same vineyard.

The visitor experience

Château Maillou prioritises direct sales from the estate. The estate is open on Saturday mornings and by appointment.

Where to find the products?

Direct sales are available at Château Maillou in Saint-Saturnin. The estate’s products are also available at the Saint-Saturnin market, where it sells its Cognacs and Charente wines. The market is held on Wednesday afternoons, from 4 pm to 7 pm.

Key points

With its historic château, vineyards and eaux-de-vie, Château Maillou offers a wonderful introduction to the wine-growing heritage of Saint-Saturnin and the Angoumois region. It’s a place to remember if you want to discover Charente produce directly from the winegrower.

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