Located in the north of Gers, in the natural region of Ténarèze, Domaine Chiroulet is a family story, that is to say a story of generations who have known how to value the generosity of their wine-growing land.
Philippe Fezas, winemaker
Today, driven by the dynamic leadership of Philippe Fezas , the son, the Domaine Chiroulet adventure began with Michel Fezas, the father. Michel could be considered the living history of the vineyard, while Philippe embodies the enthusiasm and passion for the legacy. The vines stretch across the sun-drenched slopes of Larroque-sur-l'Osse, a village named after the small river that flows through the valley. The property is located a stone's throw from the Church of Saint-Martin d'Heux, a magnificent 13th - century building perched atop the hill. The altitude is gentle, reaching a peak of 180 meters, which provides the vines with a welcome touch of coolness. The land itself is subject to the breeze blowing in from the Pyrenees, which it faces. Sometimes this breeze grows loud enough to be heard, and it's easy to see why the name Chiroulet derives from the Occitan word " xirula, " meaning whistle . The movement of the breezes is quite constant and combines with the virtues of the sun so that a typical Côtes de Gascogne grape variety matures successfully.
The grape varieties of the Chiroulet estate
In the Gers region, the production of elegant white wines from grape varieties rich in aromatic thiols is a long-standing tradition. Colombard , Ugni Blanc , Baco , and Sauvignon Blanc and Gris thrive in the vineyards of Domaine Chiroulet . These are complemented by Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng , cornerstones of local winemaking. Here, they have found in Sauvignon Blanc a perfect match for the estate's limestone soils. The terroir possesses qualities similar to those of Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé, as Philippe Fezas has observed thanks to the expertise of his friend and geologist, Pierre Chevalier. Twenty-five million years of limestone sediments and fine clay contribute to the ideal composition of a soil that is so conducive to vine growth. But at Domaine Chiroulet, they also know how to stand out by anticipating future trends: Michel, the father, understood very early on that omitting red grape varieties was incompatible with the potential of such land. Since then, the estate has also relied on the presence of Merlot , the king of grapes in Saint-Émilion, alongside local Tannat and Cabernet Franc.
Wines, Flocs and Armagnacs
The wines produced at Domaine Chiroulet have a rich history that extends far beyond local renown. Their initial success was quite remarkable: Domaine Chiroulet wines first found their greatest admirers abroad, particularly after the Parker guide mentioned them in its 1996 edition. As Philippe Fezas says , no one is a prophet in their own land. But the estate has long since reclaimed its place in France and now boasts allies among more than five hundred wine merchants. Its international expansion continues unabated: selected in 2017 by American Airlines for its Terres Blanches cuvée , Domaine Chiroulet 's production is also successfully exported to Japan. It must be said that the range of wines produced in the cellars is both precise and meticulously crafted, thanks to the watchful eye of Nicolas Cambos, the estate's cellar master. The range includes traditional dry and sweet white wines from the Côtes de Gascogne , exceptional red wines from this terroir, vintage Armagnacs , and the renowned Floc de Gascogne blended on the estate. Awards and medals regularly recognize the fruits of this labor in the vineyard and cellar, carried out with ancestral knowledge as well as technical passion by the two men of Maison Fezas: Michel, the father, and Philippe, the son.