Organic vineyard in Cognac region taken over by Belgian group

omaine Pique Russe – named after the local term for the black redstart – is a four-hectare, organically-farmed estate in Gourvillette, Charente-Maritime. It has just been taken over by a group of Belgians, including Cyrille and Clémence Cornerotte, formerly head of the Charente wine centre and corporate communications manager for Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët respectively, who moved to the region a few years ago.

“It’s a story of friends and family”, say the new owners in a press statement after spending a year with the estate’s founder Yves Lageat preparing for the take-over. Lageat himself created the winery as part of a group with a view to making still wines in Cognac country.

Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Pinot noir and Colombard are farmed at the small Cognac estate, on “Upper Jurassic limestone soils (Kimmeridgian) at 110 metres above sea level”, stresses the statement. The venture is described as “a collaborative project combining siblings, parents, friends and fellow travellers, each one contributing in their own way”, it is also open to those who would like to become involved with a crowd-funding project due to be launched next year.

The grapes grown in the high-density vineyard – 12,000 vines/hectare – are fermented and matured in amphorae, barrels and stainless steel tanks and produce around 30,000 bottles a year of IGP Charentais varietal wines.