Domaine Landreau: A passion handed down from generation to generation
The story of Domaine Landreau is the story of a family that has been shaping its terroir with passion and perseverance since 1850. Each, in his own way, has left his mark on these exceptional lands, helping the estate to evolve over the centuries.
The origins
It’s thanks to Daniel, a keen genealogist, that we know our roots. The origin of the name « Landreau » goes back to a village in Loire-Atlantique, near Nantes: « Le Landreau ». Our ancestors settled in the Charente before 1685 and, in 1852, Pierre, then a flour and miller, was the first to settle in Criteuil. He worked at the Beaumont mill and, in 1859, he acquired his first vines, thus began multigenerational adventure.
The phylloxera crisis
In the 1870s, the phylloxera crisis ravaged the Charente vineyards. Fortunately, the Landreau family’s vines suffered little thanks to their riverside location, where recurrent flooding limited the spread of the insect.
The family tradition
Around 1870, Pierre’s son, also named Pierre, took over the business. The first member of the family to be able to write his name, he built the current family home and bought the first still. Since then, the Landreau family has always distilled its own brandies.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Émile carried on the work. Under his leadership, the estate expanded and modernised after the First World War. He was the first member of the family to obtain his school-leaving certificate and introduced major innovations: a second still in 1930 and the first gas-powered tractor in 1951, although oxen and horses were still used in the vineyards.
His son, Paul, joined the business at a very young age. At just 17, he swapped the school benches for the rows of vines. Spared from forced labour in Germany by an administrative error, he was able to devote himself fully to the estate, which he developed by acquiring a third, larger still.
The evolution of the estate
In 1969, Daniel joined the family business with an agricultural diploma in his pocket. In 1981, he officially took over the estate at a time when Cognac was going through a major crisis. He found solutions by developing direct sales and opening the estate to visitors. In the 1970s, he acquired the still that is still in use today.
In 1998, a new generation prepared to take over. Daniel’s son Thomas learnt the trade alongside his father before officially taking over the reins in 2012. Under his management, the estate was transformed: animals gave way to machines, the harvest was mechanised, and the distillery entered the digital age.
A new generation
In September 2023, Thomas’s son Noa joined the adventure after completing his apprenticeship. Passionate about the business, he brought a fresh perspective while continuing the family tradition.
A year later, in September 2024, Marion’s son Mathias also joined the estate as an apprentice studying for his HND. With the energy of youth and a desire to learn, he plays an active part in the life of the vineyard.
Today and tomorrow
Today, Domaine Landreau covers 27 hectares, including 25 hectares of Ugni Blanc devoted exclusively to Cognac production, and 60 ares of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, used to make Pineau des Charentes.
Each generation has left its mark on our Cognacs. We are privileged to be able to offer you the eaux-de-vie produced by Émile, a century-old brut de fût Cognac of great aromatic richness. Paul and Daniel are the creators of our « Age d’Or » and « XO », while Thomas created the « VSOP » and « VS ».
The story of Domaine Landreau is one of passion handed down from generation to generation, a family adventure that continues today and is already looking to the future.