The History of Our Winery in Gigondas

The first generation of winemakers

Jacques Alexandre (1819-1880)

Jacques ALEXANDRE (1819-1880), born in Gigondas, represents the first generation of winemakers in the family. His professional future initially led him into construction when he decided to travel around France with his brother, learning the masonry trade with the companions.

They later returned to their native village to help build the Raspail castle. Jacques then decided to stay in Gigondas and built the family home as well as the building that would later become the wine cellar.

The Les Teyssonnières estate was founded at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail in Gigondas in 1838.

At that time, both agriculture and viticulture were booming, and almond and olive trees were planted around the estate.

Wine was quite confidential at that time, as it was produced only for personal consumption or for bartering with other goods. It was much later, after the frost of 1956 and the significant mortality of many olive trees, that the vine established itself and became the only sustainable agriculture in the village.

Family photo in front of the current pond. In the center of the photo, as a child, Michel ALEXANDRE.

Bulk wine sale contract from Gigondas in 1930, at that time only considered as Côtes-du-Rhône wine.

The second generation

Ulysse Alexandre (1870-1958)

The second generation is represented by Ulysse ALEXANDRE. Ulysse was born from his father's second marriage after the death of his first wife. He continued his father's work and perpetuated the family estate.

The property was then built around the house, consisting of the lands located throughout the Teyssonnières district and the adjacent areas.

At that time, the wine, once vinified, was sold in bulk to traders in the Rhône Valley.

The third generation

Jean-Louis Alexandre (1910-1995)

Jean-Louis Alexandre participated in the creation of the Gigondas cooperative cellar in 1956, along with several other winemakers from the village. He even became its first president. This creation allowed winegrowers to sell their production in bottles, broadening and exporting the name of the appellation beyond borders.

The fourth generation

Michel Alexandre et Evelyne Alexandre

It is thanks to their four hectares and Gigondas achieving the status of Cru des Côtes du Rhône that Michel ALEXANDRE and Evelyne ALEXANDRE decided to withdraw the estate from the cooperative cellar. They launched themselves as independent winemakers and began producing their own bottles. The cellar was set up to provide high-quality wine.

In 1972, the first vintage was bottled under the name Domaine les Teyssonnières.

The fifth generation

1985 : Franck Alexandre

At the age of 20, following the premature death of his father, Franck ALEXANDRE took over the estate with the help of his mother. He then evolved and expanded the domain to achieve the form it has today.

Over the years, through his union commitment in the agricultural sector (President of the Young Farmers of Vaucluse, General Secretary of Côtes du Rhône, President of the Gigondas appellation for 10 years, as well as President of the Rhône Valley Crus), Franck has established himself as a strong local figure. He is attentive to viticultural issues and broader agricultural concerns, whether at the local, departmental, or even national level, to defend this profession that is dear to him.

Under his leadership, the estate has significantly expanded, growing from 4 hectares to nearly 13.5 hectares today. Diversity has also been the key word in recent years, with the development and purchase of plots in the communes of Sablet and Vacqueyras, further embedding the vineyard in the regional appellation from which it originates: Côtes-du-Rhône. This period also marked the beginning of exports abroad and an opening to the world.

Finally, in August 2019, the estate was certified HVE (High Environmental Value), marking the recognition of agriculture that is attentive to its terroir and environment. This certification highlights and shares the potential present in the plots. It is also part of a broader recognition plan, encompassing everything that makes up the vineyard, from the chosen itinerary to the direct environment around the plots.

The sixth and latest generation

2023 : Héloïse Alexandre et Aurélien Alexandre

With the inclusion of white wine in the Gigondas appellation specifications, the latest generation makes its entrance into the estate. As always, the family's history is closely intertwined with that of the village and its AOP.

The challenges for this new generation will be to address the issues of this century related to climate change and to modernize the estate while preserving the nearly bicentennial family know-how.

Aurélien ALEXANDRE joined the estate at the beginning of 2023 after obtaining his National Diploma of Oenology (DNO) in Montpellier.

Héloïse ALEXANDRE, a nurse by profession, also works to help the family heritage prosper with her valuable assistance, especially during the most demanding times of the harvest season. She eventually resumes her studies to take charge of the commercial aspect of the estate.