OUR SAVOIR-FAIRE

A living heritage of the Gascon terroir

A Human Adventure Above All

Cloud & Clet, is more than a name—it is the mischievous face of a sincere project, rooted in terroir, experience, and transmission. Behind the legendary silhouettes of two monks stand real artisans of the vine: passionate growers, seasoned distillers, men and women for whom Armagnac is far more than a spirit—it is a culture, a legacy, and an act of faith.

Cloud & Clet was born at Domaine de M., a family estate of more than 100 hectares in the heart of Bas-Armagnac, in Mauléon-d’Armagnac. For generations, this land has been cultivated with patience, passion, and precision by a family of vine growers and distillers. The savoir-faire here is not a marketing invention, but a true intergenerational transmission. From fathers to sons, from mothers to daughters, gestures are passed on, refined, and adapted over time.

blé devant les vignes pour l'armagnac

The Vine: The Cradle of Armagnac

Working with the vine always begins in the vineyard. At Cloud & Clet, viticulture is the foundation of our craft. Domaine de M. stretches across a mosaic of sandy and clay-limestone soils, ideal for cultivating many grape varieties. Here grows the illustrious Baco, the emblematic grape of Armagnac, as well as Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each parcel is farmed with respect for natural balance. The vine’s cycle, from winter pruning to hand or machine harvesting, is a finely tuned dance. Viticultural practices are oriented towards sustainability: yield management, biodiversity care, phenological observation, and living soil respect. Everything is done to allow the grapes to fully express their potential and their Gascon identity.

Wine: The Essence of Armagnac

Armagnac begins life as a dry white wine. This is Cloud & Clet’s great strength: the estate’s winemaking expertise is the bedrock of its eaux-de-vie. For decades, Domaine de M. has produced crisp, aromatic whites for Côtes de Gascogne—wines fresh, lively, and with a natural acidity, the perfect profile for distillation.

Baco, in particular, is the jewel of the domain. A Franco-American hybrid created in the 19th century to resist phylloxera, it has found its true home in Gascony. Rich in esters, sugars, and acidity, it yields eaux-de-vie that are powerful, structured, and capable of aging magnificently in oak.

grappe de raisin

The Vineyard: the Cradle of Armagnac

Vinification, carefully managed from start to finish by the team, relies on a subtle combination of technical rigor and sensory intuition. Harvests are scheduled according to optimal grape ripeness. The juices are gently pressed, cold-settled, and fermented at controlled temperatures to preserve primary aromas. For wines destined for distillation, no sulfur is added, and no excessive filtration is applied. The goal: to preserve a pure, lively, and expressive wine, ideal for revealing its full aromatic potential through the still.

Distillation: The Art of Precision

Once entrusted to itinerant distillers, distillation has long been brought in-house at Domaine de M. for complete control of the process. The copper column still operates according to the principle of continuous distillation, characteristic of Armagnac. It produces a spirit in a single, continuous pass, rich in aromatic matter. Each cuvée is distilled separately, with precise adjustments according to vintage, grape variety, and juice extraction. This control allows us to capture the very essence of the fruit. At Cloud & Clet, distillation is true alchemy.

Aging: Time as an Ally

Once distilled, the Armagnac is rested in carefully selected Gascon oak casks, rich in tannins, providing structure and complexity to the spirit. Our cellars offer optimal humidity and temperature for slow, natural aging. The Cloud & Clet team monitors each cask closely. Regular tastings, transfers between new and old barrels: each lot follows its own trajectory. Some Armagnacs are blended, others left as single cask or brut de fût, according to the desired profile.
distillation de l'armagnac
mise en boutielle d'armagnac d'exception

Blending & Bottling: The Final Gesture

Blending is a subtle art, balancing technique and creativity. It allows us to harmonize aromas, align textures, and deliver a coherent aromatic palette. Domaine de M. also offers single cask selections, unique vintages, and bespoke bottlings on demand. Bottling is done in the cellar, by hand, with extreme care. No harsh filtration, no unnecessary additions. The finished product is alive, sincere, and a true reflection of the terroir and the team.

Monks to tell the story of hands

The figures of Cloud and Clet, those mischievous monks, are the symbolic embodiment of this philosophy: a joyful, tangible, and approachable transmission. Behind their humorous silhouettes stand the true artisans of Domaine de M, expressing themselves. This deliberate personification allows us to tell a story and showcase agricultural and artisanal know-how without resorting to technical jargon. For Cloud & Clet, the ambition is also this: reconnect consumers with those who produce. To show that Armagnac is not an industrial product, but a fruit of time, of craft, climate, and soil. A living product.
Cloud & Clet