Domaine des Bérioles
Domaine des Bérioles is a family business born out of a shared passion to express their terroir through their wines. They also offer unique wine experiences in the well-known vineyards of Saint-Pourçain.
History
Domaine des Bérioles, located in the charming village of Cesset in the Saint-Pourçain vineyards, is a family business with a rich history and a strong focus on quality and sustainability. Founded in 1976 by Olivier Teissèdre as a grain farm, the estate transformed in 1989 when he, together with his wife Odile, planted the first vines on the historic "Clos des Bérioles."
With the arrival of their son Jean in 2011, and later his sister Sophie and her husband Jérôme, the estate became a true family business. Together, they expanded the vineyard area to 15 hectares and established a modern wine cellar. Since 2019, the estate has been certified organic and is working towards a full transition to biodynamics. In 2020, they introduced organic flour made from their own grain, which they supply to local bakers and shops.
In addition, they offer a unique opportunity to discover the terroir, history, and gastronomy of the region with their "Balades en Bérioles" wine tours. Today, Domaine des Bérioles celebrates its tenth vintage and continues to be an example of passion and dedication in viticulture.
The Saint-Pourçain
The Saint-Pourçain wine region is one of the oldest in France, with origins possibly dating back to the Phoenicians (1200 - 300 BC), although the exact origin remains a subject of debate. What is certain is that wine was produced and valued as early as the Middle Ages, particularly thanks to the Benedictine monks from the city of Saint-Pourçain, who promoted the spread of the wine. By the 13th century, wine was already being served at royal tables, such as during the feast of King Louis IX in Saumur in 1241 and at the coronation of Philip of Valois in 1328. It was so beloved that Pope Clement VI had it transported to Avignon.
In the 16th century, the wine temporarily lost its royal status, but under King Henry IV, it regained its fame. From the 16th to the 18th century, the wine was transported by ship to Île-de-France, making it ideal for transport given the poor state of the roads.
The decline of Saint-Pourçain wine began in the late 19th century when the phylloxera plague destroyed large parts of the vineyards between 1893 and 1896, leading to the downfall of many winemakers. The region's recovery was slow and did not occur until the 1980s and 1990s. In 1951, the region was granted VDQS status, an important step toward recognizing the quality of the wine. Ultimately, Saint-Pourçain was officially recognized as an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) on May 28, 2009, securing the region's status as a wine area with protected origin.
Sustainable production
At the Les Bérioles estate, the vines are cultivated according to organic and biodynamic principles, with great care and an emphasis on manual labour. The work in the vineyard is aimed at obtaining healthy grapes with moderate yields, taking into account environmentally friendly practices in order to extract the best quality potential from the grapes. The harvest takes place when the grapes have reached their optimum ripeness.
At the Les Bérioles estate, the work in the vineyard and the cellar is guided by a calendar that is aligned with our two celestial bodies: the moon and the sun. The vineyard is in harmony with the soil and the wines fully reflect the terroir.
The Domaine des Bérioles offers a rich and varied selection of organic wines, including the unique Tressallier grape, which is only found in France, and a range of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. The grape varieties used to make our white wines are Chardonnay and Tressallier, while our red wines are made from the Gamay and Pinot Noir grape varieties.
