Spirits / Vin de Liqueur / Floc de gascogne / Château de Ravignan

Château de Ravignan - Floc de gascogne

Perquie, Landes
Castles have graced the property of what is now the Château de Ravignan since the 12th century. The name "Ravignan" itself comes from the deep ravines surrounding the property that once served as a natural defense. The château was later occupied by feudal barons and partially destroyed during the religious wars of the 16th century. In the mid-17th century, a Louis XIII manor was built on the property.

Vineyards were planted in 1732. Around the same time, the property was sold to Jean La Croix, who later took the name Ravignan, and from whom current owner Josselin de Ravignan is descended. 
Today Josselin (with the help of his father and aunt) presides over the estate's 20 hectares of vineyards, located in the Perquie and covered with iron-rich sand (sables fauves) and sand with small pieces of limestone and clay (boulbènes). There they grow Ugni Blanc, Bacco, Colombard and Folle Blanche grapes, which are distilled by the traveling still that arrives at the property each November to distill (at a low temperature) between 15 and 20 barrels of rich Armagnac.
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They also make an impressive Floc de Gascogne, which is the local vin de liqueur (sweet, fortified wine made with unfermented grape must fortified with the brandy of the given region). In Ravignan’s case, they use their Colombard and Ugni Blanc grapes and ⅓ Armagnac eau de vie to stop the fermentation around 17% alcohol. This has enough sweetness to make it a nice accompaniment to foie gras.