Domaine de l'Oisellerie

On the outskirts of Angoulême, the Domaine de l’Oisellerie occupies a unique place in the Charente countryside. Set around the château and the Oisellerie agricultural college, it has served for over a century as a training centre for careers in viticulture and agriculture.

In its vineyard, the estate grows, amongst others, Ugni Blanc, Montils, Colombard and Merlot. These grapes are used to produce a range of Pineaux des Charentes, Cognacs, Charente wines and grape juice, which are sold primarily through direct sales.

History and origins

The history of the Domaine de l’Oisellerie is closely linked to that of the Oisellerie site and its agricultural college. For over a century, the estate has served as a training centre dedicated to the Charente wine and agricultural sectors.

Direct sales form part of its recent history: an initial range of products, including Cognac and Pineau, was already on offer in the early 1970s. A proper shop opened in 1990, before undergoing renovation from 2018 onwards and reopening in 2019.

Today, the estate therefore combines production, processing, marketing and the passing on of agricultural expertise.

Expertise

The vineyard covers around 34 hectares around the school. The estate cultivates grape varieties characteristic of the region, including Ugni Blanc, Montils, Colombard and Merlot. The wine products are produced on-site using the estate’s winemaking and distillation facilities.

The estate also has a particularly interesting educational aspect: pupils and students from the school take part in practical work in the vineyards, on the crops, in livestock farming and in the shop. The estate thus becomes a genuine training ground for agricultural trades.

Part of the vineyard, covering 6.5 hectares, has been farmed organically since 2009.

The wines

• Pineau des Charentes. The estate offers white and red Pineau des Charentes, as well as older vintages such as Vieux Pineaux and Très Vieux Pineau Blanc.
• Cognac. The estate produces Cognacs made from Ugni Blanc and the Fins Bois cru, amongst others. Its range includes VS, VSOP and XO styles. The XO Cognac is aged for a minimum of ten years and features spicy, vanilla and roasted notes.
• Charente regional wines. The vineyard also produces Charente regional wines, including both white and red varieties.
• Grape juice. The shop sells still white grape juice, red grape juice and sparkling white grape juice.

The signature product

Pineau des Charentes is one of the Domaine de l’Oisellerie’s signature products.

The estate’s white Pineau has been recognised by the Guide Hachette, which noted aromas of candied fruit, honey and fresh fruit in one vintage.

As an aperitif, it is best enjoyed chilled. It can also be served with Charentais melon, foie gras, certain cheeses or fruity desserts.

For a deeper exploration, the ‘Vieux Pineaux’ allow you to discover more complex expressions, shaped by time and ageing.

The visitor’s experience

The Domaine de l’Oisellerie has a shop where visitors can discover the estate’s produce. It also stocks a selection of products from other French agricultural colleges.

The estate is particularly interesting for understanding the link between agricultural production and the passing on of knowledge: the vineyard, the facilities and the shop all play a direct part in the training of the college’s students.

Where can you find the products?

The produce is available at the farm shop in La Couronne. The estate specialises in the direct sale of Cognac, Pineau, Charente regional wines and grape juice.

Key points

The Domaine de l’Oisellerie deserves a special place amongst the producers of the Angoumois region. Here, the production of Cognac, Pineau and Charente wines is not limited to a commercial activity: it also plays a part in passing on agricultural trades and skills.

Just a few kilometres from Angoulême, it is a fascinating place to gain a first-hand insight into one aspect of the Charente wine-growing region, whilst also discovering a place where agriculture serves as a foundation for training future generations.

Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.