Domaine Landreau: A passion transmitted from one generation to another
Each, in their own way have left his mark on these exceptional lands, helping the estate to evolve over the centuries. A family’s dedication and passion have shaped Domaine Landreau’s terroir since 1850.
The origins
It is 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. In 1852, Pierre, then a miller, was the first to settle in Criteuil. He worked at the Beaumont mill and, in 1859, he acquired his first vines, this was the shouting point of a 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.
A family tradition
Around 1870, Pierre’s son, also named Pierre, took over the business. He built the current family home and bought the first still. Since then, the Landreau family has always distilled its own cognac.
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: such as a second still in 1930 and the first gas-powered tractor in 1951. Oxen and horses still would alongside these new equipment.
His son, Paul, at just 17, he joined the business. As he was spared from forced labour in Germany due to an administrative error, he was able to fully devote himself to the estate. 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 70s, he acquired the still that remains in use today.
In 1998, a new generation was ready to take over. Daniel’s son Thomas learnt the trade alongside his father before officially taking over in 2012. Under his management, the estate was transformed: animals gave way to machines, the harvest was carried out using machinery, and the distillery embraced the digital age.
A new generation
In September 2023, Noa Thomas’s son joined the adventure after completing his apprenticeship. Passionate about the business, he brings 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 while studying for his post secondary technical diploma at the same time.
Today and tomorrow
Today, Domaine Landreau covers 27 hectares, including 25 hectares of Ugni Blanc devoted exclusively to the 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 transmitted from generation to generation, a family legacy that lives on today and is already focused on the future.