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The history of a land, The will of the Claude Marquet family
Based in Préaux, on the south-eastern edge of Mayenne and on the border between Maine and Anjou, Maison du Pin was born out an insane project. To create a farm that would produce quality «Made In Mayenne» foods (flour, pasta, oil and wine).
Maison du Pin, over 1000 years of history.
In 1980, Claude Marquet fell in love with this unique site steeped in history.
The origins of this place are modest: a 10th century fortified farmhouse that became a manor house for noble families. Generations of farmers subsequently settled there.
Huet du Pin was the first to bear the name of these lands, as evidenced by a confession of 1444. This was followed by three lordly families of Le Pin who made numerous changes to the estate. This was necessary after the 100 Years’ War, which devastated Maine. The castle was almost completely rebuilt after this conflict with the English and was surrounded by a moat and walls. The last lord of Le Pin was a woman, who died in 1827.
After the French Revolution, the manor returned to being a simple farm, occasionally inhabited by its owners. In 1910, the manor house seemed to have fallen into oblivion; the walls were still there but had been abandoned. From 1981 onwards, Claude Marquet rebuilt the Manoir du Pin stone by stone. He will continue the story and add his own.
Farm Domain
The land at Maison du Pin has high agronomic potential.
The vocation of Maison du Pin is to be an avant-garde mixed farming domain, a haven for biodiversity. Its aim is to engage in sustainable, varied and reasoned agriculture in order to supply quality products with high nutritional value, processed locally in Mayenne.
A true testament to our commitment, the vines are being converted to organic farming. Hedges have been replanted to encourage biodiversity. The aim is to preserve the wooded countryside of the Mayenne region and re-introduce crops that have been grown here since the 15th century, while adapting to changes in climate and the agronomic characteristics of their soils.
Our commitments at the domain
- Paulownia planting. CO2 sensor trees capable of absorbing 10 times more carbon dioxide than other trees. This ecological tree is also a powerful pollution remover, filtering waste water through its root system.
- The installation of an agrivoltaic power station to diversify and secure energy sources.
- Recovery of nitrate trap intermediate crops (CIPAN) to extract methane, via fermentation at a local methanisation site.
The aim is to preserve bio-diversity and find a coherent energy, economic and social plan. The Claude Marquet family and the ICM Group wish to make the Maison du Pin part of a sustainable development approach, reflecting the fundamental rural values of Claude MARQUET and the Group.
The vine
The wine-growing part of the estate is now in the process of converting to organic farming.
The Maison du Pin is home to a historic vineyard, one of the few in Mayenne. Claude Marquet planted it in 1997. This plot consists of 53 rows of vines, 53 as a strong symbol of his attachment to his native land.
The 2.20 hectares of vines are planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pineau d’Aunis, Syrah and Chenin in clay-loam soil. The vines are cultivated according to the seasons, in a way that respects the land and its biodiversity. As evidence of this commitment, the vineyard part of the estate is now being converted to organic farming, and some of the soil is worked by animal traction.
Our cuvée M53, 100% Chardonnay, is a deep white with notes of lemon pastry, almond cream and citrus fruit.
La Bulle du Pin is a Brut chardonnay sparkling wine. On tasting, you’ll find lovely notes of wax, honey, walnuts and tart apples.
The land
Maison du pin offers a range of artisanal products: buckwheat pasta, buckwheat flour and rapeseed oil.
The lands of the Maison du Pin are generous and valuable.
The estate is a testing ground for farming practices and part of the new dynamic of agro-ecological transition. This is a significant challenge for the future of the ICM Group, with a view to achieving local food self-sufficiency. The products from Maison du Pin are intended to be of high quality, of high nutritional value and processed locally.
