Armagnac Dartigalongue
180 years of know-how and passion for Bas-Armagnac
The House of Dartigalongue was created in Nogaro in 1838 by Pascal Dartigalongue. Born in Saint-Lannes in the Gers, he created what at first was only a trading business with the help of his father, a landowner and farmer, who assisted it’s creation with 10,000 gold francs.
The activity of the company gained momentum in the 1850s with the first exports by boats to the Nordic countries. At the end of the 19th century began the era of the major wars (Napoleon, United States), the armed needed water spirits in quantity which allowed the development of the activity of the house Dartigalongue.
In 1870 Joseph Dartigalongue his son took over the trading company and bought a vineyard (Domaine Cross Hall) in the region enabling it to produce some of the grapes needed for its distillations. Joseph Dartigalongue also acquired the winery and the his current company offices. According to records he had a very important role in the commercial development of the brand. He sold to traders from the Place de Bordeaux, Bayonne, Cognac, but also developed the Belgian market, German and English. He also saw to the first shipment via railway. In 1900 his sons Henri and André succeeded him. André went to Paris to open a shop dedicated to the family home. André decided to stayed in particular to look after the entire production process. This was one of the first domains to market Armagnac in bottles rather than in barrels. He was one of the first to develop the marketing in France. In fact at that time the Armagnacs Dartigalongue were present in restaurants / cafes mostly in Paris as well as the Café de Flore.
Françoise Dartigalongue & Benoit Hillion ©Dartigalongue
Following a serious debilitating injury received during the 1st World War and therefore not able to work he left the company’s reins to his son Pierre. Pierre grew sales in the 40s in the US, including New York (where he went aboard the famous ship “Normandy” Le Havre – NY “), followed by Germany, Norway and Japan.
In 1980 Françoise Dartigalongue and his brother Jean-Pierre succeeded their father to continue the family saga. Thus ensuring that the qualitative requirement of the House of Dartigalongue since 1838 would be perpetuated. They then worked on the development of the French, Spanish and Italian markets.
Today the House of Dartigalongue is managed by Benoit Hillion, nephew by marriage of Françoise Dartigalongue. Each year it produces about 60,000 bottles (vintages and Eaux-de-vie blends) that are sold in more than twenty countries.
Where does the name “Dartigalongue” come from ?
The name of this Armagnac comes of course from the name of its creator. Beyond that the word “Dartigalongue” seems to come from a deformation of a Gascon word which means « pioneer of the land. »
Benoit Hillion ©Dartigalongue
Focus on Benoit Hillion, Director of the House of Dartigalongue Armagnac.
« I’m not from the area. I grew up and did my agronomy studies Paris. It is thus that I met Virginie Dartigalongue, niece of Françoise Dartigalongue. I discovered Armagnac during this period as a student. Before I did not drink it. During evenings and during the third rugby halftime we drank VSOP. That’s how I discovered that spirit.
Subsequently toward the end of our studies we found work in Paris. Virginie was hired by Interprofession of beef and me in the environmental sector.
When we went down to that area for the holidays, Françoise Dartigalongue encouraged us to take over the company to carry on the family history of this beautiful home.
©Dartigalongue
Gradually the idea made its way … Virginie did not want to take over the management so I dug into the question of recovery / professional reorientation. Finally in 2010 I asked for a leave of absence for two years from my employer to go down to the area and try to take back the company and the sale of Armagnac. From the beginning I have not been spared as much as ten days since my arrival. Françoise sent me right away to Japan to promote Dartigalongue.
During those two years I learned a lot about Armagnac particularly through training, lectures, readings …
In May 2012 I went back to my employer with a bottle of Armagnac and I told him that I would not be coming back to work.
Today I will have worked here for five years and the world of Armagnac excites me! »
What do you like about Armagnac ?
« What I like about this product, in Armagnac is the warmth, the family atmosphere (we are six employees in addition to Françoise Dartigalongue), as well as the historic cultural side. It is a house that has existed since 1838 and has retained all its archives. This story is an endless source of inspiration!
The growing of Armagnac I attend closely to blends, to decisions about growing in concert with the Cellar Master. »
If you had to describe Dartigalongue house in a few words , what would you say?
« History, upscale / luxury but not ‘bling’. It is present in many large grocery stores and in starred restaurants. I would add: family spirit, careful packaging and a house that has a real style. »
What is the Dartigalongue style? What allows you to recognize Dartigalongue Armagnacs in a blind tasting?
« These are balanced Armagnac (alcohol / flavors) with a very airy and full mouth. These are Armagnacs fun, pleasing, fruity and still have a nice long finish. All Eaux-de-vie offers a nice complexity and elegance. This is notably the many changes in the chai (wet / dry) experienced by Eaux-de-Vie, complementing the different batches as well as ventilation. »
Do you have any plans for Dartigalongue ?
©Dartigalongue
« Yes we have! We are increasing our inventory in order to cope with the development in progress. We have just acquired a new clay barrel cellar (400m2) in Nogaro, at 500 meters awy from the current winery.
Currently we are testing on different types of bindings, on barrel heating and different sources of oak (currently 100% oak used is Gascon). The purpose of this is to diversify the range of aromas and thus create new products.
Finally we also have planned to have a research partnership with historians to conduct a study on the history of our house. 180 years of the Dartigalongue House is approaching in 2018… this will be a great opportunity to tell our unique history. »
Side story:
With its rich history of over 170 years Dartigalongue House is full of stories! One of the most striking is the fact that the Dartigalongue Armagnacs were there in the days of the golden age of transatlantic cruises on many boats such as the Normandy or the France.
Thanks to Benoit Hillion well as Françoise Dartigalongue for their reception.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Maison Dartigalongue
10 Rue du Four
32110 Nogaro, France
+33 (0)5 62 09 03 01
