HISTORY :

After fifteen years in the cognac winegrowing and distilling business, Etienne Hosteing, issue of a Doctor-winegrowing family in Bordeaux and Cognac acquired the “Distillerie des Sources” located in Gensac La Pallue in 1988. The company plant included its own private spring.

A few months in the Napa Valley Californian vineyards and Mexico in 1974 convinced him that water and oak wood were potential elements in this market where wine is cultivated in every Mediterranean climate and brown spirits are appreciated on the five continents.

After 1995, the Distillery becomes “Distillerie du Chêne” and finally Protea (South African indigenous flower). The research and development department invented a unique process for oak wood extraction concerning thermo treatment of oak chips intented for wine and spirits maturation. The process has since been patented.

Close working collaboration wtih French coopers enabled Protea to establish an international client network.

Expertise in tasting and formulating drinks and collaboration with partners allowed Protea to extend their range of top quality “Bonificateurs” would it be for the wine industry (oak chips and staves) or for brown spirits such as Cognac, Armagnac, Calavados, Rum, Brandies, Bourbon, Whiskies...