GAEC des Sazaris

In Fléac, in the Charente Valley, the GAEC des Sazaris carries on a family-run wine-growing business with deep roots in the local area. The estate produces and crafts its own brandies, Pineaux and several other specialities, in keeping with Charente’s wine-growing traditions.

Here, there’s more to discover than just the products: the estate also offers a tour of the distillery, a museum of old tools and a family museum dedicated to life in days gone by.

History and origins

GAEC des Sazaris is a family-run estate that has been based in Fléac for several generations. The estate states that it has been situated on the site ‘for centuries’, with a succession of generations of winegrowers. The GAEC, in its current form, has been registered since 1986.

The estate is situated within the Cognac appellation, in the Fins Bois cru. Vine growing is now its main agricultural activity.

Expertise

The estate carries out a large part of the production process itself. In particular, the wines are distilled on the estate to produce the eaux-de-vie that will become Cognac after ageing in Limousin oak casks. The estate also produces its own Pineaux, liqueurs and wines.

The tour offers a hands-on insight into this tradition: visitors are shown round the distillery with explanations of how Cognac is made and aged.

The range

• Pineau des Charentes. The estate offers, in particular, a white Pineau made from Ugni Blanc, as well as a rosé Pineau made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged versions are also available: the ‘Vieux’ white Pineau is aged for over ten years in oak casks.
• Cognac. The range includes several expressions, including Cognac XXX, VSOP, Vieille Réserve and XO. The estate states that its eaux-de-vie are aged in oak barrels before being sold.
• Wines and traditional methods. The estate also produces wines made primarily from Merlot for the rosé and Colombard for the white, as well as wines made using traditional methods.
• Sparkling grape juice. An alcohol-free range completes the production, featuring selected white or rosé grape juice that is carbonated during the grape harvest.
• Specialities. The estate also produces flavoured products, such as pear- or orange-flavoured Cognac, as well as ‘Délice des Sazaris’, a carbonated liqueur inspired by the flavours of white or rosé Pineau.

The signature product

Pineau des Charentes is one of the GAEC des Sazaris’s must-try specialities.

White Pineau, made from Ugni Blanc grapes, is distinguished by its golden colour and is best enjoyed well chilled as an aperitif. Rosé Pineau, made from red grape varieties, offers a fruitier profile and pairs well with melon or red berries.

For a more original experience, the aged Pineaus allow you to appreciate the effects of long barrel ageing. The aged white Pineau, in particular, pairs well with foie gras or a blue-veined cheese such as Roquefort.

The visitor’s experience

The GAEC des Sazaris offers a genuine insight into the region’s wine-growing heritage and family history.

Visitors can explore:

• the distillery and the production of Cognac;
• explanations of the production and ageing processes;
• a museum of antique tools, featuring numerous items once used in agricultural trades;
• a 1900s family museum, with mannequins in period costume;
• the gift shop and products from the estate;
• a tasting of Pineau des Charentes.

The estate welcomes visitors all year round, including on Sundays, by appointment to ensure their visit runs smoothly.

A visit to the GAEC des Sazaris allows you to see the connection between the product and the work that brings it to life: vine-growing, distillation, ageing and tasting. It is also an opportunity to discover a collection of antique tools and a family record of rural life in the early 20th century.

Where can you find the products?

Products are sold on the estate, in the heart of Fléac. The estate has a shop showcasing its various products and specialities.

Key points

Just a few kilometres from Angoulême, the GAEC des Sazaris offers a wonderful introduction to the world of Cognac and Pineau des Charentes, with a particularly appealing feature: here, the tasting is accompanied by a genuine exploration of Fléac’s wine-growing and family heritage.

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