History & Terroir: Where does the name Domaine Les Teyssonnières in Gigondas come from?

Why is the estate named Domaine Les Teyssonnières?

When walking at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, every hamlet and every estate tells a piece of Provençal history. But do you know where the name Domaine Les Teyssonnières actually comes from?

Passed down through our family for six generations, this name is deeply rooted in the Provençal language, our safre terroir, and the biodiversity that has graced our land since 1838.

“Teysun”: When Provençal meets the badger

To understand the origin of our name, one must trace back to the roots of the Provençal language. In our regional dialect, the word for badger is “teysun” (or taisson). A “teyssonnière” thus refers to a badger's sett, or a place historically frequented by this discreet and iconic animal of our countryside.

Back when our ancestors founded the estate, these animals had set up home in the hills and banks bordering our plots. Hardworking, deeply rooted in its territory, and living in perfect harmony with the land, the badger naturally became a symbol for our family.

Safre: The soft soil ideal for setts... and for the vine!

If badgers chose this place over another, it was no coincidence. The Teyssonnières area is characterized by a very specific soil: safre. It is a sedimentary rock made of highly refined, compacted marine sand.

  • For wildlife: A soft, friable soil, perfect for digging deep and protective setts.

  • For our vines: An exceptional terroir that retains moisture deep underground during the summer, bestowing our Gigondas wines with incomparable freshness, elegance, and aromatic finesse.

A Name, Values, and Respect for Biodiversity

Today, bearing the name Les Teyssonnières still means honoring a natural and family heritage. We continue to protect local wildlife right at the heart of our vineyards, which are farmed sustainably under HVE (High Environmental Value) certification.

Every day, this name reminds us of where we come from and why we dedicate so much heart to preserving the beauty and balance of our terroir.

The next time you uncork one of our bottles, you'll know it holds a bit of Provençal history, the softness of the safre... and a subtle nod to the badgers of our hills!

Come discover our story and taste our wines directly at the estate: our air-conditioned tasting cellar welcomes you year-round.

En poursuivant votre navigation sur notre site vous acceptez l'utilisation des cookies
ou technologies similaires pour disposer des services adaptés ainsi que pour la sécurisation des transactions.
En savoir plus.