the house

Domaine de Danis

Location Castelnau-d'Auzan-Labarrère, Gers
Appellation Bas-Armagnac

Deeply rooted in the winegrowing history of the Armagnac region, the Domaine de Danis is driven by the passion of Victoire and Vincent Piquemal. The 38-hectare estate is renowned for its Côtes de Gascogne white wines. However, it also keeps a specialized corner for grapes destined for Armagnac production.

Victoire has a passion for the Folle Blanche grape variety. So much so that, since 1982, every vintage reflects this devotion. Earlier vintages, on the other hand, are the fruit of an alliance between the Baco and Ugni Blanc grapes. This winemaking know-how, although currently symbolized by the Piquemal family, dates back to previous generations. Indeed, the grandfather also had a green thumb for Armagnac, even if his creations did not bear the "Domaine de Danis" seal. It wasn't until 1986 that parents Victor and Aline Piquemal inaugurated the estate's first official bottlings.

After the harvest, the grapes are pressed and fermented to produce a wine with an alcohol content of around 9% to 10%. Unique in its method, Domaine de Danis does not have its own still. Instead, the tradition calls for a mobile distiller. Each year, this column still, run by Marc Saint Martin, makes the journey to the estate's cellars to perform its magical transformation. This wood-fired distillation produces an Eau de Vie fluctuating between 52% and 54%.

Preservation is just as meticulous. Domaine Danis features two cellars: one wet, the other dry. These environments are ideal for ageing, with some 120 barrels. The first ageing is in new Bartholomo barrels at Le Freche for at least a year. After that, for balanced maturation, the Armagnac is relocated to older barrels, some reaching the venerable age of 45 years.

Grape varieties: Folle Blanche and Ugni Blanc
Distillation: Continuous armagnacais still, wood-fired, itinerant distiller
Awards: Prix du Grand Jury at the Concours des Grandes Eaux-de-Vie d'Armagnac (Talents de l'Armagnac 2022) for the 2004 vintage; certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE)

Domaine de Danis armagnacs in our shop

Domaine de Danis produces only a small quantity of armagnac, and only as vintages: every bottle carries the year of its harvest. Our shop brings together seven of them, all bottled brut de fût (cask strength, not reduced) in 70 cl, at the strength shown on each product page (from 45 to 48% ABV). They fall into two families, depending on the grape distilled.

The years before 1982: baco and ugni blanc

Harvests before 1982 come from a blend of baco and ugni blanc. The 1975 (47% ABV) offers a powerful bouquet of prune and rancio, rounded tannins and a mellow finish. The 1978 (46% ABV) and the 1980 (48% ABV) complete this series of mature armagnacs, for lovers of old brandies.

The folle blanche years: 1982, 1986, 1999, 2004

From 1982 onwards, the estate's armagnacs are made from folle blanche, Victoire Piquemal's favourite grape. The 1982 (45% ABV) plays on vanilla and sweet spices, with a minty liquorice finish. The 1986 (48% ABV) blends spices and exotic woods, with great finesse. The 1999 (46.5% ABV) and the 2004 (46% ABV) are the youngest; in 2022 the 2004 received the Prix du Grand Jury at the Talents de l'Armagnac.

A family wine estate in South West France

Domaine de Danis lies in Castelnau-d'Auzan-Labarrère, in the Gers, on the edge of the Landes forest, in Bas-Armagnac. It is the heritage of a Gascon family, handed down from generation to generation for more than four centuries. Since 1992, this family estate has been run by a brother and sister, Vincent and Victoire Piquemal; Vincent is an agricultural engineer and oenologist. True winegrowers' work, from grape to bottle.

The vineyard covers 38 hectares. Most of it produces white wines under the IGP Côtes de Gascogne, from colombard, sauvignon and gros manseng. A small part of the vines is set aside for armagnac production. The estate is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) and sells only its own production: a producer in the fullest sense of the word.

Distillation, cellars and bottling

Danis has no still of its own. Every year, a travelling distiller sets up his wood-fired armagnac column still at the estate, and Victoire follows the whole distillation. The spirit comes off at around 52 to 54% ABV, the lower end of the usual range for armagnac.

The armagnac then spends at least a year in a new cask, made by a cooper from the village, before moving into older barrels. The estate has two cellars, one damp and one dry, which house around 120 barrels. Bottling is done year by year, at cask strength.

How to choose your Danis armagnac

To discover the folle blanche style: the 1982 or the 1999, fresh and aromatic;
For an award-winning armagnac: the 2004, honoured by the Grand Jury of the Talents de l'Armagnac;
For a lover of rancio: the 1975, with its notes of prune;
For a birthday gift: the birth year, if it is among the seven in our selection;
To compare two profiles: a year before 1982 alongside a recent year.

To find other years, see our vintage armagnacs and our cask strength armagnacs: a good starting point for buying an estate-bottled armagnac.

Tasting a Danis armagnac

To enjoy a cask strength armagnac at its best, serve it at room temperature, in a tulip glass, and let it breathe for a few minutes: at 45 or 48% ABV, the aromas open up gradually. A drop of water can soften it; that is up to you. In our selection, the more recent years show minty notes (1982, 1999), while the 1975 stays on prune and rancio. The 1978 suggests stewed tropical fruit, vanilla and Christmas spices; the 1986, apricot and salted butter caramel. Once opened, keep an armagnac bottle upright, away from the light.

Frequently asked questions about Domaine de Danis

Where is Domaine de Danis?

In Castelnau-d'Auzan-Labarrère, in the Gers, in Bas-Armagnac, on the edge of the Landes. The estate welcomes visitors for tastings: a lovely stop for wine tourism if you are passing through South West France. To plan a visit, the estate's website explains how to contact it.

Which grape varieties are used for Danis armagnac?

Folle blanche since 1982; baco and ugni blanc for the older harvests.

How much does a Domaine de Danis armagnac cost?

It depends on the year and how rare it is. Each product on this page shows its price.

How do I buy a Danis armagnac online?

Choose your bottle on this page, add it to your basket and complete your order. Bottles are shipped within France and Europe in packaging designed for spirits. A question about a particular year? Our team will be happy to advise you.

Please enjoy responsibly. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health.

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