History - Cloud & Clet

The Heart and Soul of France, in a Bottle

A legend, a land, a renaissance

The Birth of Cloud & Clet

Cloud & Clet is not just a brand. It is a cry from the heart, an act of faith, a return to origins. A mission carried by passionate lovers of wine and spirits, but above all, by children of Gascony. At a time when exotic spirits—Scotch whiskies, Caribbean rums, or Mexican tequilas—Armagnac and Floc, those Gascon jewels, seemed to slip into the shadows, guarded only by the initiated. Cloud & Clet was born from one determination: to rekindle the flame of Armagnac in the hearts of the French.

A Living Heritage – Domaine de M.

At the heart of Bas-Armagnac, in the quiet commune of Mauléon-d’Armagnac, stretches
more than 100 hectares of vines, woods, and meadows: the Domaine de M. For generations,
these family-owned estates produced Armagnac, Floc de Gascogne, and IGP Côtes de
Gascogne wines.

Here, every bottle is the fruit of artisanal savoir-faire, passed down with love and precision from father to son, from mother to daughter. For decades, these treasures were shared only within a small circle—local visitors, travelers, or inhabitants of the region. Direct sales, regional fairs, and word of mouth were enough to distribute the precious cuvées. But over time, one question grew louder: how can this Gascon tradition, too long eclipsed, be revealed to the world?

An Ambition: Returning Gascony to Center Stage

The answer was clear: tell a story. Not a fabricated tale, but one rooted deep in the origins of Armagnac. Unlike many spirits, Armagnac has a birthplace, almost sacred in its clarity. It is the oldest spirit in France, older than Cognac, older than most European eaux-de-vie. And its origin is written in a legend as flavorful as the liquid itself.

The Legend of Cloud & Clet,
the Gascon Monks

Chapter I – The Abbey of Nogaro
(9th century)

It all begins in the 9th century, within the Abbey of Nogaro. Two monks, Cloud and Clet, are tasked with watching over the barrels of wine drawn from the surrounding vines. But these jovial spirits do more than guard. Each week, under the cover of night and the silence of the cellar, they help themselves to a cauldron of wine, sharing it secretly among the barrels.

CHAPTER II – The Bishop of Lectoure

One evening, as the two monks prepared to taste their secret brew, the abbey’s prior suddenly burst into the cellar—accompanied by the newly appointed Bishop of Lectoure, a great lover of wine. Caught off guard, Cloud and Clet hastily hid the bubbling pot and claimed it was merely a broth for plucking the evening’s poultry.

CHAPTER III – Cloud & Clet

“What are you waiting for to finish your work? His Lordship will not dine in the middle of the night!” exclaimed the prior. Under pressure, Cloud hung the pot over the tripod, while Clet lit the fire. The bishop, curious, tasted the warmed wine. He was delighted, and asked for more. Three cups later, he staggered out of the cellar with an unsteady step. The monks, however, hid the remaining liquid in a small empty cask, which they left forgotten behind a pile of firewood.

CHAPTER IV – The Passing of Time

Three years went by. A disastrous harvest plunged the abbey into shortage. When news came of a new episcopal visit, the monks searched the reserves—and rediscovered the small forgotten cask. With no alternative, they served it to the bishop.
He lifted the mysterious liquid to his nose, then to his lips. Astonished, he exclaimed: “I would be forever in your debt if you could pass along this recipe of ambrosia to my sommelier!”

Summoned to reveal their secret, the two monks finally confessed.
And so, according to legend, Armagnac was born.

A Legend Reborn

This tale—humorous, poetic, deeply Gascon became the perfect foundation for a renaissance. Cloud & Clet would be the symbol of a rediscovered tradition, of a generous yet rebellious spirit, of the art of drinking with joy and honesty. From this legend grew not just a name, but a philosophy: transmission, sharing, and taste.

The Cloud & Clet Project:
Where Modernity Meets Tradition

To create Cloud & Clet, is to build a bridge between history and today. The brand aims to explain, transmit, and make people discover. Many in France still do not know Floc de Gascogne, or have never tasted a true artisanal Armagnac. Through storytelling, festive events, and partnerships with cocktail bars, chefs, and sommeliers, Cloud & Clet gives Gascony back its voice within the concert of the great gastronomic regions of France.

A Future with Roots

Today, Cloud & Clet stands as a singular voice in French spirits. Not a pastiche, not folklore—but a sincere adventure, carried by a team rooted in its land and open to the world. The Domaine de M. continues to cultivate, distill, and age, while the brand itself travels, seduces, intrigues, and delights. Cloud & Clet is a bridge between the 9th and the 21st century. Between two mischievous monks and a generation in search of meaning, of origins, of taste. Bottle in hand, smile on lips—they invite you to rediscover a forgotten treasure: the soul of Gascony. And who knows? Perhaps, somewhere between the barrels, Cloud and Clet are still raising a glass together…