Gers: the jewels of viticulture form a common roof in Eauze

On the edge of the ring road at the entrance to Eauze, the building looks great. A facade that takes the shape of the stainless steel vats of the cellars, openwork metal panels in the colors of the three emblematic wines of the Gers: amber for Armagnac, yellow for Côtes de Gascogne, red for floc. 20 years that they waited for it, on the side of the producers…

The Côtes de Gascogne, Floc and Armagnac house is already operational. “It brings together the structures of the wine-growing players, who – apart from Armagnac – did not have premises that met standards, and who had to work separately, in places that have become dilapidated”, explains Patrick Farbos, the president of the BNIA.

Financial and efficiency gains

Even if the sectors used to work together, the new common house allows many savings. On the one hand, economies of scale, with the end of costly rentals, and the grouping of multi-purpose services for the different sectors, including the restructuring of the vineyard. “We no longer need to move around to talk to each other: just cross the corridor! We gain in efficiency, and the winegrower no longer wastes time. The building covers 1,500 m2.

In addition to its offices on two floors, it is largely flexible, which opens up prospects: rooms of 400 m2, videoconferences… “We can organize competitions, tastings on a more or less large scale in one place”, says Jean -Pierre Drieux, the president of the Côtes de Gascogne. All the professional spaces are already in operation, the employees arrived between the end of April and May.

Gateway to the vineyard

Added to this was the absence of a single showcase for wine production. “Often, winegrowers offer all three: wine, floc and Armagnac,” says Jean-Pierre Drieux. We had no common space in Eauze, little visibility for tourists. For this part, there is still work to be done. The huge lobby is still empty. Eventually, a large map of the Gers, on the ground, will interact with tablets, to allow visitors to discover terroirs, cellars and products. Alcoves on the sides will be dedicated to a more intimate discovery of the three beverages.

“The scenography has largely been decided on,” confides Jean-Pierre Drieux. There will be moments of consumption, but also games. This could be quizzes, the construction of a cocktail, food-wine pairings, etc. And a – large – bar, for tasting. In an adjoining room, films will also be screened to discover the vineyard. “The complete program remains to be finalized, slips Patrick Farbos, it is still under consideration. But even if an animation is planned, the course will be very largely autonomous for the visitors. »

This showcase will only have a promotional function: there will be no on-site sales. “We will wait until the fall to inaugurate the building as it should, but this general public device will be launched this summer”, says Jean-Pierre Drieux.