Formidable plum trees
Château Thénac’s five-hundred Ente plum trees have gained a reputation thanks to their contribution to the production of our remarkable eaux-de-vie.
The Shvidler family asked great Cognac distillation specialists to make the best eau-de-vie possible. The result is elegant as a delicate perfume.
The plum trees have been part of the landscape since the Middle Ages. So, it’s not for nothing that they’ve been given a particular place in Thénac’s agricultural ecosystem, within its farms, vineyards and woodland.
The trees, many of which are over fifty years old, are tended to with as much care as the grape vines are. They occupy a privileged spot on a south facing hillside. The harvest is done by hand and only the best fruit is selected.
Eaux-de-vie: the result of a very long process
Like with grapes and wine, the quality of a plum eau-de-vie depends on the quality of the fruit. Picked at the peak of ripeness, the plums are carefully transported to Château Thénac’s wine cellar. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, and the temperature is adjusted to preserve the freshness of the aromas. The distillation that follows requires a particular savoir-faire. This process is entrusted to a local, artisan distillery which is considered by many to have set the standard in the making of great spirits. The eau-de-vie is then sent to Maison Thénac’s wine cellar to be aged for many years. The amber version is left in barrels for up to ten years.