Clos de la Groie is a fifth-generation family estate in Brie-sous-Matha, in the Fins Bois cru of Charente, France. The Denechere family has farmed these clay-limestone soils for generations, supplying eaux-de-vie to the major houses before beginning to bottle under their own name in 1997. Today, the estate is run by Sebastien Denechere, producing a focused range of Cognacs defined by exceptional age, a patient multi-step reduction philosophy, and genuine terroir character.

Fins Bois is the largest of the six official Cognac crus, encircling the more celebrated Grande and Petite Champagne zones. Its clay-limestone soils — known locally as terres de groies — produce Cognacs prized for roundness, fruit, and relatively rapid development. Estates like Clos de la Groie, working in the more northerly sector of the cru, pair this natural suppleness with exceptionally long aging to produce Cognacs of remarkable depth and elegance.

The Vieille Reserve Cuvee de Papy Franck is a Fins Bois Lot 47 distilled in 1947. It was secretly set aside by Sebastien Denechere’s grandfather to mark the birth year of his son. The family had no idea the barrel existed until after the grandfather’s passing — it was found hidden in an obscure corner of the chai. The precious liquid was transferred into glass dame-jeannes at the turn of the century to halt aging, and eventually bottled as a family tribute. It is among the oldest and most historically significant Cognacs we have ever had the privilege to offer.

The estate is located in Brie-sous-Matha, a quiet commune in Charente, France. The 80 hectares of vines are all situated within a tight 20-kilometer radius of the domaine, within the Fins Bois cru — one of the six official Cognac growing regions. This northerly sector of the Fins Bois is known for its clay-limestone soils, which lend the Cognacs their characteristic roundness and fruit.

Sebastien Denechere distils using two traditional 25-hectolitre Charentais copper alambics. For their own Clos de la Groie range, they distil sur lies — on the lees — which adds body, roundness, and aromatic complexity to eaux-de-vie destined for long aging. The estate also produces contract distillation for major houses including Martell and Courvoisier, requiring distillation both with and without the lees depending on the house’s specification.

The Denechere family follows a remarkably disciplined multi-step reduction process. Starting at 70% ABV after distillation, they perform an initial reduction to 65% after one year, then reduce by approximately 5% every 3-4 years. Once the spirit reaches 50-55%, manual reductions stop and the Angels' Share takes over for a period of quiet maturation lasting decades for their XO (30 years) and Sublime (35 years). A final reduction is made one year before bottling, after which the Cognac rests for twelve months. This patient approach preserves the elegance and terroir character of the Fins Bois spirit.

The estate produces a focused range of five Cognacs: a VS (5 years), VSOP (15 years), XO (25-30 years), Sublime (30-35 years), and the extraordinary Vieille Reserve Cuvee de Papy Franck (distilled 1947). All ages far exceed the legal category minimums. The domaine also produces four distinct Pineau des Charentes.

The Denechere family’s approach is defined by patience and restraint. They distil sur lies for maximum depth, work with wide-grain wood from trusted cooperages using a medium chauffe to let the Fins Bois fruit lead, and reduce alcohol levels gradually over decades — never rushing the process. As Sebastien puts it, the land and the family dictate the character of what ends up in the glass. The extraordinary discovery of Papy Franck’s 1947 barrel is perhaps the most vivid expression of that philosophy: a family that takes the long view, in every sense.