Massenez Distillerie

Region: France

A Napoleonic statute…

The birth of Distillerie Massenez goes back to the 1870s when Jean-Baptiste Massenez started as “home distiller” in Urbeis, in the Vallée de Villé. Jean-Baptiste Massenez unknowingly opened the way forward for his descendants who would inherit the status of home distiller: his son, Eugene Massenez inherited not only the privilege but also his father’s expertise and went on to become a recognised master distiller himself.

A rare strategy at the time : export !

Adept at running his business with a steady hand and investing in ultra-modern production tools, Gabriel Massenez also had an innate business sense. For example, Massenez was the only brandy on board the Le France, a liner symbolising French industrial strength, inaugurated by General De Gaulle himself in 1960. Thanks to the meeting with various exporters, distribution begins in America, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Asia, Hong-Kong, Singapore and then Tokyo !

A new generation… and a new distillery !

In 1979 in response to strong growth, Gabriel decided to create a new distillery in Val de Villé. It was inaugurated by Paul Bocuse, a great, loyal friend of the Massenez family and in the presence of many other great chefs from all over the world. Then the fourth generation started at the distillery: since 1982, Manou Massenez, Gabriel’s daughter has continued her father’s work in export, developing growth of the family brand in over 110 countries! Her woman’s perspective and her business sense have enabled her to take Massenez to many world competitions that were previously reserved for Cognacs and to present Massenez Eaux de vie, Creams & Liqueurs to the world’s greatest sommeliers and barmen.

Manou’s involvement has also helped to develop Massenez’s brand image in the world of top class gastronomy with great French chefs such as Robuchon, Ducasse, Savoy…and also catering schools, barmen, private individuals…
In 1989, Manou’s brother, Dominique Massenez decided to diversify the family business by investing in vineyards in Chile.

And today ?

Associated since 2010 with Grandes Distilleries Peureux, Mr. Bernard Baud directs the distillery in Alsace with Manou Massenez and Elodie Naslin. Concerned to ensure the quality of their products and aware of the difficulties for the industry on the spirits market, this dream team continues to develop Massenez for export and in France though a feminine image, due to the historical importance of the Raspberry eau de vie and the emergence of a new profile of consumers through cocktails: women!