Le Maine Castay

In the heart of the Torsac region, south of Angoulême, Le Maine Castay is a family-run wine estate whose history is closely linked to that of the Leroy-Castay family. The estate currently cultivates a vineyard of around 23 hectares and produces its own wines, Cognacs and Pineaux des Charentes.

The estate is distinguished by its commitment to biodiversity and by expertise that combines vine cultivation, winemaking, distillation and the ageing of eaux-de-vie.

History and origins

The history of Maine Castay begins with Marcellin Leroy, born in 1884 in the Pas-de-Calais and who arrived in Angoulême in the 1910s. After establishing an industrial business, he set about creating an experimental farm in Torsac in the 1930s.

The farm had a very broad remit at the time and supplied, amongst other things, meat, fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, cider and wine to Marcellin Leroy’s business.

The first wines intended for Cognac were distilled on a contract basis before a distillery was built on site in 1954, enabling the estate to carry out the distillation itself. The property then passed through several generations of the family, until Pierre-Hervé Castay took over its management in 1999.

Expertise

Le Maine Castay has mastered the various stages involved in transforming grapes into wine and then into brandy: harvesting, winemaking, distillation and ageing.

The vineyard stretches across a limestone plateau overlooking the small Charraud valley. The soils consist mainly of clay-limestone ‘groies’. The estate also states that it works to promote biodiversity in the vineyard and to maintain heritage breeds of livestock, notably Bazadaise cattle and Solognot sheep.

The estate pays particular attention to the presence of the red-legged partridge, which has become its emblem and is regarded as an indicator of the quality of the vineyard’s environment.

The range

• Fins Bois Cognacs. The estate offers several Cognacs, including Le Perdreau, La Réserve, Vieille Réserve, Extra Vieux and La Part des Hommes.
• Pineau des Charentes. The range includes white, rosé and red Pineaus, as well as a Vieux Pineau des Charentes.
• Wines. The Grelurettes are available in white, rosé and red. The estate also produces other original cuvées such as Les Canons de la Bohême and a traditional method wine.
• Grape juices and sparkling drinks. Le Raisinbulles is a carbonated, alcohol-free white Ugni grape juice, a sociable alternative for an aperitif.

The signature product

Maine Castay Cognac is one of the estate’s signature products. Among the cuvées on offer, the Vieille Réserve is composed of eaux-de-vie that have been aged for an average of fifteen years in oak casks. It develops notes of vanilla, a hint of rancio and a finish reminiscent of liquorice. The estate recommends enjoying it towards the end of a meal or in the evening.

For a truly exceptional tasting experience, La Part des Hommes is a Cognac that is nearly thirty years old, served at its natural strength and drawn directly from the cask.

The visitor’s experience

Le Maine Castay offers direct sales from the estate.

This is an opportunity to discover the estate’s produce first-hand and to gain a better understanding of the work involved in cultivating the vines, producing Cognac and making Pineau des Charentes.

Where can you find the products?

Products are sold directly at the estate: Le Maine Jarry – 16410 Torsac

Products include, in particular, Cognac, Pineau des Charentes, wines and grape juice.

Key points

Le Maine Castay is a wonderful place to discover, just south of Angoulême, the link between a wine-growing terroir, family expertise and the great Charente traditions of Cognac and Pineau.

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