Portraits of winemakers

LA CAVE DES VIGNERONS DE TURSAN: PIONEERING AND COMMITTED!

La Cave des Vignerons de Tursan: A Legacy of Passion and Commitment

A Rich History of Tursan Wines

The story of Tursan wines dates back over 2000 years, gracing the tables of Roman emperors and enjoying prominence during the Middle Ages under Eleanor of Aquitaine. However, their fortune waned when King Henry III of France ordered the removal of vines and banned the trade of alcoholic beverages. The Tursan wine industry revived centuries later with the creation of the cooperative winery in 1958.

Pascal Chalandré: A Passionate and Dedicated Leader

Pascal Chalandré, a farmer's son, left school at 21 to help with the family orchard and worked part-time for the Chamber of Agriculture. Eventually, he took over the family farm in 2002, replacing the ailing orchard with a few hectares of vines while also establishing a foie gras production under the Label Rouge certification. He sold his first harvests to the Tursan cooperative winery and gradually expanded his vineyard to 11 hectares. Pascal is deeply involved in his community, serving as president of the village festival committee, municipal councilor, and president of the village sports club, among other roles.

Naturally, Pascal immersed himself in the wine industry, becoming an administrator, then president of the grape harvest CUMA (a cooperative association for agricultural machinery), and later treasurer of the Tursan Wine Syndicate in 2005. He joined the Tursan cooperative winery as an administrator, becoming co-president of the Syndicate and vice-president of the winery in 2013. The cooperative represents 95% of the appellation's production, and Pascal's dual role has fostered a strong link between the wine industry and the winery. An active member of the New Aquitaine Federation of Wine Cooperative Wineries and president of the Tursan Wine Brotherhood, Pascal was named president of the Tursan Winery on March 9. His focus is on enhancing communication to raise awareness of Tursan wines while continuing to improve their quality.

Tursan, en Aban! (Forward!)

"Tursan, en aban!"—which means "Tursan, forward!" in Gascon—could be the motto of the winery, which continually breaks new ground. The Tursan cooperative winery plays multiple roles: advising vine growers, managing harvests, overseeing vinification, bottling, storage, and commerce. Their values—commitment, responsiveness, teamwork, quality, and conviviality—guide their operations.

Thanks to their efforts, the AOC Tursan was recognized in 2011 after seven years of work on terroir recognition and direction. With wines already certified Agri-confidence and holding dual ISO 9001 (quality management and traceability) and ISO 22000 (food safety) certifications, the cooperative is committed to social, societal, and environmental responsibility. Following a carbon footprint assessment and an RSE audit, they aim to continue their commitment to human rights, employee safety, and local and departmental actions, such as supporting sports events and participating in local markets.

Through these combined efforts and adherence to standards, the vine growers have improved their work techniques, enhancing grape quality. "We've also managed to better secure the product for consumers, modernize the winery, and improve working conditions and wine quality processes," Pascal adds.

Wines Reflecting Terroir with Strong Local Involvement

The winery offers four wine ranges: L’Esprit, L’Impératrice, Expression de l’Impératrice, and Secrets de l’Impératrice, along with estates like Château Peyssat and Château Bourda. They produce IGP Landes and, most notably, AOC Tursan wines, which are the driving force behind the winery. Their approach is simple: produce quality wines that express the terroir. Château Bourda in AOC Tursan, for example, is made from a superb terroir with rolled pebbles, typical of the protected, sunny valleys of the Landes. With a dark robe and black reflections, this powerful wine seduces with aromas of red fruits, prunes, a slightly vanilla finish, and silky tannins. This robust wine pairs well with stuffed poultry, grilled red meats, or soft cheeses like Camembert or Pont l’Évêque.

Staying true to their social and societal commitments, their special cuvée "Oh cœur des vignes" is meticulously selected by wine experts for each vintage. Part of the sales is donated to the Ferrasse Foundation, which supports seriously injured rugby players. Benoît Dauga, a former French rugby player, is the godfather of this lovely cuvée with aromas of red and black fruits and slightly minty notes, creating a harmonious ensemble that pairs perfectly with roasted meats or game in sauce. "We don't make wine just to make wine; we always try to maintain a local, social, or environmental connection," explains Pascal.

Tursan: The Hidden Vineyard of the Landes

The 2.5 million tourists who visit the region each year only know the beaches. Pascal and his 120 vine growers are determined to promote their beautiful valleys at the tip of the department, with 500 hectares of vines spread across 43 communes, to introduce Tursan, the hidden vineyard of the Landes. Beyond their wine initiatives with special cuvées, they aim to engage more with consumers to explain the richness of their terroirs, grape varieties, and why their rosés have a salmon color, for example. In addition to their presence at agricultural markets, they invested in a wine truck this year—a great initiative for this dynamic winery that continues to break new ground!