The Château de Léberon is a stately mansion, listed among the Monuments Historiques.
Its construction started in the 13th century, when the ‘Hundred Years‘ War was raging across Gascony. The castle was then a medieval fortress with a building design typical of the Gascon castles of the day: square main body flanked by two round towers. At this time, the Lord of Léberon was very powerful, as witnessed by the walls of the Château’s chapel. Indeed one can find there a ‘double Litre’, a very rare honorific pictorial work.
Later during the Renaissance the castle changed appearances. Italian architects added several extensions to the building, they erected a spiral staircase and opened up large mullion windows... One of these extensions reveals a remarkable framework resembling a reversed boat hull. Since then, its configuration has been made more welcoming and suitable for accommodation. At this time the agricultural property was already developing vineyards whose reputation would only improve. At the 17th century, the Lord of Léberon, Louis XIV’s aide-de-camp, promoted the produce of his estate at the Court of Versailles. In the late 18th century, the old Château would gradually be abandoned.
It was only to know its revival and its current aspect in 1939, when Osmin Rozès bought the property. A lot of important restoration work was then undertaken. Nowadays it remains the family home.
We are the 4th generation of Armagnac producers at Château de Léberon.
The vineyard of the Château de Léberon is benefiting from an exceptional microterroir: it has its roots plunging into the gritty sand of the alluvial deposits of the River Baïse’s terraces. Its soil is mixed with many pebbles that retain then transmit the warmth of the sun to the grapes. Its South-facing aspect is ideal. The vines coming from this land are producing very textured, aromatic fruit, with significant fatness.
The Château ’s vineyards are old, some are more than 60 years old. Both the Ugni-Blanc and the Colombard varieties can be found on the property. Colombard Armagnac is rare and greatly prized as it is a grape that yields so-called ‘double-fin’, very pleasant whites. It is one of the most fruity vines, that produces brandies that will taste fresh and vital and mature into sturdy and powerful Armagnacs.