Domain of Joÿ

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If at Domaine de Joÿ joy reigns in the wines, Floc de Gascogne and Armagnacs, it is surely because of its name and the generosity of its terroir labeled High Environmental Value that they first draw it.

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Awakening Joÿ

When Paul and Marguerite Gessler left Switzerland in 1927, their journey led them to the hamlet of Joÿ . In this haven of the Gers region, they found a land lying dormant. Immediately setting to work, they revived the slumbering estate. On the sunny slopes, the vines regained their vigor, drawing their lifeblood from this fertile soil. Two years later, the Gessler family distilled their first Armagnac . Thus was born the 1929 vintage, inaugurating a lineage that would continue to uphold the vineyard's vitality. In 1946, André Gessler, the son, took over the reins of the estate with his wife, Véronique. Stimulated by this bountiful land, the vineyard expanded to cover 20 hectares. The first grape variety selections date from this post-war period. Colombard and Gros Manseng were then established on the Joÿ estate , foreshadowing its future renown. The year 1975 marked the arrival of Olivier, who took over from his father. With him, Muscadelle and the first red grape varieties were introduced. His arrival ushered in the modern era for Joÿ and the advent of the first bottled wines.

Terroir of Joÿ

If enthusiasm reigns in the house, it may well stem from its very name. Joÿ derives its etymology from medieval Occitan, from which it inherits its connotations of joy and courtesy. The fourth generation, Vanessa and Kévin Gessler, are the heirs to this joy ^. Upon entering Joÿ , the welcoming smile is as much a foreshadowing in the wines as it is distilled in the Armagnacs . For on this estate, which now spans 160 hectares, joyful white wines take pride of place. Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay dance in the south, while Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng take center stage in the west. Beneath these plantings, freshness and minerality invite the tasting. At Joÿ, the wines are lively and balanced, exemplifying the distinctive characteristics of the Côtes de Gascogne . When Bacco, Ugni Blanc, or Folle Blanche are distilled there, they produce Armagnacs of great finesse and fruitiness. The red grape varieties, confined to 10 hectares, bring together Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Tannat to create very lively red and rosé wines.

Ode to Joy

At Domaine de Joÿ , the range of white wines takes center stage. Since names are key to good cheer here, their character is evident from the label. L' Envie (The Desire ), L'Éclat (The Radiance) , La Joÿ Attitude (The Joÿ Attitude ), and L' Ode à la Joie (Ode to Joy) each express the spirit that animates them in their own way. Mineral, fresh, or fruity, their nuanced characters bear the common signature of a truly exceptional terroir. And if you listen as attentively as you do, you'll discover that the St. André appellation holds a certain sweetness that guarantees its renown. This leads to the voluptuousness of a sweet wine, aptly named Grains de Joÿ (Grains of Joÿ ). With its good character, it sits alongside a rosé called Éros , of course, which itself is paired with a red wine called L'Insolent (The Insolent One ). What can be said about this grand ball, except that it is held with fervor in a Côtes de Gascogne estate that brings together fine characters? The Armagnacs confirm this, their hues adorned with copper enhanced with gold, contained in elegant bottles that remind us they are haute couture.

The 3 “Naturally Joÿ” cuvées, presented by Vanessa Gessler

Vanessa Gessler presents the new range of Côtes de Gascogne: “La Vie en Joÿ”