For three generations the Darbeau family has worked their land on the Gascony hillsides, a corner of south-west France famous for it’s grapes, oak woodlands and sunny autumns, passing their winemaking expertise from father to son.
Today, it’s Jean-Christophe Darbeau who is carrying on the family tradition; cultivating his vines in harmony with nature to produce quality Côte de Gascogne wines; aperitifs and, of course, his Armagnac.
The estate has slowly grown over the years and now covers some 40 hectares: 10 hectares of red grapes (7 ha Merlot, 1 ha Tannat, 1 ha Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 ha Syrah); and 30 hectares of white grapes (10 ha Colombard, 6 ha Gros Manseng, 6 ha Sauvignon Blanc, 6 ha Ugni Blanc, 1 ha Baco and 1 ha Petit Manseng).
Armagnacs come from three defined regions in the south-west of France:
- Haut Armagnac
- Bas Armagnac
- Ténarèze
Maison Darbeau is in the Bas Armagnac region, to the west of the Gers and bordering the Pyrénées Atlantiques. It is a region with a light, loamy soil and a climate moderated by the ocean. The armagnacs from this region are renown for their fruity aromas and, as their character needs fewer years of aging to develop, they can be drunk slightly younger than the armagnacs from the adjacent Haut Armagnac and Ténarèze regions.
Our wines
Our wines are crafted in the most natural way possible.
Our philosophy is to adapt to the vine, not to impose anything.
Claire de Lune
Dry white
Claire de Lune
Rosé
Claire de Lune
Red
Le Raisin Oublié
Sweet
Premiers jours d'automne
Dessert wine
Terre de Rencontres, Tentation
Oxidative White
Our organic wines
In 2018 Jean-Christophe Darbeau converted 7 hectares to organic cultivation with 7 grape varieties: Baco, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and Syrah. We encourage you to try the results and are proud to present with our first organic wines.
Terre de Rencontres, L’invitation, Récolte 2022
Organic Dry White
Terre de Rencontres, Rendez-vous, Récolte 2022
Organic Rosé
Terre de Rencontres, L’envie, Récolte 2021
Organic Red
Our aperitifs
Our armagnacs
The oldest French brandy, Armagnac can trace its origins back to 1310 and the town of Eauze in the south-west of France.
It is produced by distilling white wine, typically of the grape varieties Colombard, Ugni Blanc, Baco 22A and Folle blanche. Armagnac is distilled only once which results in a more fragrant spirit than Cognac which is distilled twice. The spirit is then aged in oak barrels where it develops its special and distinctive flavour.
In a region marked of hills and valleys, the grapes ripen under the Gascogne sun on the hillsides, while the woodlands that occupy the hilltops provide the wood used to make the barrels used to age the armagnac.
How to read a label
The different categories refer to the minimum duration the spirit spent maturing in wooden barrels:
- VS or Three Stars: At least two years of age
- VO (Very Old), VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) or Reserve: At least five years of age
- Extra or XO: At least 6 years of age
- Hors d’âge: At least 10 years of age
- Millésimes: An older, vintage armagnac from a single year
Our gift boxes
We can tailor make gift boxes for your events, for your clients, as presents etc.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Where to find our products
Maison Darbeau has stands at various markets, festivals, fairs and events across France throughout the year.
There are also occasional special events and open days on the estate.
You can also buy at Jean-Christophe Darbeau’s own shop:
Lou Ptit Mercat
Route Principale (D931)
32370 Manciet
In addition to his own wines and spirits there is a selection of locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, meat, foie gras. See below for more details.
Come back to this section from time to time for details of the latest events.
Summer markets
Marché à Vieux-Boucau (40480)
Low season Tuesday and Saturday
Traditional market
Place de la mairie
40480 Vieux-Boucau
Shops & wine merchants
Cavutopie
Cavutopie sells a choice selection of wines created by winemakers respectful of their terroirs, passionate and concerned about the quality of their products.
Cavutopia is also:
- A Betty partner boutique with a selection of raw and matured milk cheeses
- A selection of over 100 beers, which you can also taste on site!
- A selection of spirits: whiskey, rum, gin, armagnac, etc.
- Cheese platters
- Bellota ham Pata Negra
- A wine bar to taste everything on site!
- And a friendly atmosphere!
36 avenue Georges Pompidou
31270 Cugnaux
Chai Hossegor
We don’t leave our product selection to chance!
The range of wines well sell are from small regional producers through famous grand cru. Every wine is tested and reviewed by the team before we stock it.
Throughout the year there are tasting evenings and events.
119 avenue Tisserands
40150 Soots Hossegor
Lou Ptit Mercat
When you pass through Manciet you can’t miss Lou Ptit Mercat located in the heart of the village on the main road (the D931). Opened in July 2016, the store was born from Jean-Christophe Darbeau’s desire to have a space to present his products and those of his many friends.
Fresh produce
The store is divided into two parts. One side is devoted to fresh farm products (fruit and vegetables), bread, cheese, honey and eggs. There is also fresh meat, supplied by David Pérencin, and you can place orders for cuts not available in-store.
Local specialties
The other part of the store showcases the products that make the Gascogne region so special: local wines, Armagnac, Floc, foie gras, and gift boxes. In addition to the full Maison Darbeau range there are organic wines from Jean-Yves Millere, Francis Cabrel; the Jurancon wine of Jean-Marc Grussaute; Pacherenc and Madiran from Gabriel Hughes; and champagne from Eric Bonnevie. Foie gras and preserves are from Pierre-Laurent Larrieu whose reputation is well established.
Food and conviviality
“We regularly organise events and tastings” says Jean-Christophe Darbeau, “I want this space to be a place where we can get together and discover these products”.
The dynamic team of Monique, Virginia and Émeline look forward to welcoming you to the store.
Location
Lou Ptit Mercat
Route Principale (D931)
32370 Manciet
Opening times
Every morning: 9:00 - 12:30
Afternoon: 15:00 - 19:00
Closed on: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon
Telephone
Contact
Head Office
Maison Darbeau
Place du Monument Aux Morts
32370 Manciet
FRANCE
