Through the Years
2021
DOMAINE DE L'ARJOLLE TODAY
In 2021, Domaine de l'Arjolle's family of partners grew with the arrival of Juliette Duby (Charles’s daughter). Today, six partners are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the estate, working alongside our teams.
2014
A NEW IMPETUS
In 2014, Simon Teisserenc (son of Louis-Marie and brother of François) and Geoffroy de la Besnardière (intern in 1995 and longtime friend of the estate) joined Domaine de l'Arjolle as partners, and a new sales and marketing strategy was launched.
2004
A NEW GENERATION
In 2004, Roch Teisserenc (son of Prosper and brother of Roland) and François Teisserenc (son of Louis-Marie) joined the estate as partners, bringing yet more innovation in the winemaking and in the vineyard.
2001
A BARREL CELLAR
In response to growing demand for Domaine de l'Arjolle wines aged in barrels, a cellar housing more than 1,000 barrels was inaugurated in 2001, along with a modern bottling line.
2000
TERRA VITIS CERTIFICATION
Further to considerable time and energy invested in our farming methods and environmentally-friendly practices, Domaine de l'Arjolle achieved Terra Vitis certification (a charter for sustainable viticulture recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture).
1985 - 1986
THREE NEW PARTNERS
In 1985, Charles Duby (brother-in-law of Louis-Marie) and Guilhem de Fozières (nephew of Prosper and Louis-Marie) joined the partners, followed in 1986 by Roland Teisserenc (son of Prosper).
1978
FIRST BOTTLING
The efforts made in the vineyard and winery since 1974 were rewarded in 1978 with the very first bottling.
1974
RENAISSANCE OF DOMAINE DE L'ARJOLLE
The transformation of the estate began in 1974 under the leadership of Prosper and Louis-Marie Teisserenc (grandsons of Augusta and Ernest). With the unwavering support of their wives, Rolande and Marie-Pierre, they embarked on an ambitious, highly demanding project. The two pioneering brothers created a new iteration of Domaine de l’Arjolle focused on three core values - quality, diversity, and wines made for pleasure - which still guide us today.
1905
DOMAINE DE L'ARJOLLE EXPANDS TO POUZOLLES
In 1905, Charles' daughter Augusta Gottis married Ernest Bellet, who owned vineyards, a cellar and house in the village of Pouzolles. At that time, Domaine de l’Arjolle spanned both Geniez-le-Bas and Pouzolles.
1881
AVANT-GARDE DISTRIBUTION
In 1881, 23 year-old lawyer Charles Gottis inherited Domaine de l’Arjolle from his parents, Amédée and Mélanie. He developed the estate and navigated a turbulent period for Languedoc vineyards. From 1880 onwards, European vineyards were devastated by phylloxera, an aphid introduced from America. As a result, diseased vines were uprooted and vineyards were replanted with local varieties grafted onto naturally-resistant American rootstocks. Supported by his wife Emma, Charles showed great determination and implemented a pioneering system of direct sales.
Taking advantage of a new railway line that connected Béziers to Neussargues (Cantal) from 1888 onwards, Charles shipped his wines in 220-litre barrels by rail from the Magalas station on this line (4 km from the estate). Nearly a century ahead of his time, he sold his wines directly to consumers (at that time, farmers in central France).
1842
A MARRIAGE AND AN ESTATE
In 1842, 45 year-old Amédée Gottis married his first cousin Mélanie Durand, a member of family from St Geniez-le-Bas (now St Geniès-de-Fontedit). As part of her dowry, Mélanie brought the vineyards, cellar and family home known as Domaine de l’Arjolle, located in the same village.
