Family traces go way back to 1246, in the form of the King’s Musketeer, D’Artagnan (born Charles de Batz), but it was really not until around the middle of the 19th century that the Gelas family linked its own destiny to that of Armagnac. In 1865, Guillaume Gelas, a respected barrel maker, bequeathed his business to his son Baptiste, who in turn created the Maison Gelas. He duly moved into the premises currently occupied by the firm, and embarked on the business of making and selling Armagnacs.

In 1910, his son Louis took on the management of the company and acquired a property planted with Manciet vines, the Chateau de Martet (Martet Castle) which is still in the family fold. Louis was a public figure, and held various offices both in his native town,
and at departmental level

After the Second World War, Pierre followed in his father’s footsteps, and lent the family firm an international dimension. In 1950, he was the first Gers businessman to develop a business in wines and various spirits. He revolutionized his times by offering on an exclusive basis Armagnacs hailing from the terroirs or local regions of Bas Armagnac and La Tenareze, at their natural degree of ageing, without reduction. This unique selection of proprietors lends the resulting product a fine reputation at the grandest of tables, be it in France or abroad.