The Domaine des Costes gets its name from old French meaning hillsides or slopes.
This hillside is a part of the rare areas of Pécharmant where the soil is stony, sandy-clay over rolled gravel, soil that is very favourable for the maturity of cabernet, which represents more than 50% of the estate’s grape varieties.
This vineyard belonged to the Foucault family until the beginning of the last century. Miss Foucault married Henri de Baillet, as mentioned in Edouard Féret’s 1903 work as owner of the operation.

Then the estate changed owners several times. It underwent some setbacks, in particular a fire in 1910 that destroyed part of the buildings.
In 1992, Nicole DOURNEL took the farm as a tenant, supported by her oenologist husband.
The vineyard is given specific attention. Replanting in narrow vines, small yields and good knowledge of our soils thanks to a complete cartography, make it possible to create full Pécharmant wines that are concentrated and long-keeping, with delicacy and elegance.
In 1998, a new vintage was born, the Grande Réserve. It corresponds with the selection of our best pieces of land and is completely aged in new casks.
In 1999, the wine storehouse was entirely renovated and the whole fermenting room thermally controlled.
In 2000, the vineyard is run “reasonably”. The land is maintained without using weed-killers.
In 2003, the vineyard is run without using synthetic products. Of course, this is an ecological worry, but also with the goal of letting the soil express itself the best.
In 2004, request for Organic Agriculture certification.
2005-2006, reconversion years.
2007 will be our first ORGANIC vintage.
Biodynamics is our next goal, in order to obtain the best harmony possible among people, the land, and the plants.





Text translated by Pays du Grand Bergeracois (professional translator).