Winegrowers and distillers since 1897
Since 1897, four generations have succeeded one another at Maison Brana, initially as wine merchants, then as distillers and winemakers. Over time, the family has developed renowned expertise in the world of wine and spirits. Faithful to its roots and heritage, the Maison continues to pass on values of excellence, authenticity, and passion.
1897: Pierre and the wine trade
In 1897, the Brana family made a name for itself in the quality wine trade in the Basque Country. Pierre Brana crisscrossed the region's trails with his team and wooden barrels to sell his wine to farms in the hinterland. His tenacity earned him a certain reputation.
His son, Jean, a fine taster, established the family business in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, giving it a solid structure. The Hôtel de France became the company's headquarters. After Jean's death, his wife, Marie, continued to run the business with their son Etienne.
Heir to so much knowledge, Etienne Brana constantly strives to improve the quality of his wines. He travels through the vineyards of Navarre, selects the best vintages, ages them with care and bottles them himself.
At that time, Maison Brana distinguished itself by distributing wines of character such as Basque wines like Irouléguy, or Spanish wines from Navarre and Rioja. It also offered wines from the magnificent Béarn vineyard, present since Gallo-Roman times: Madiran, Jurançon, and rosé from Béarn. Less well-known than the terroirs of Bordeaux or Burgundy, these wines come from renowned terroirs, appreciated by wine lovers, ancient and deeply rooted.
1974: Etienne and Adrienne Brana create the distillery
Etienne, who has always been passionate about white spirits, nourished the desire to become a producer. In the 1970s, with the support of his wife Adrienne, they revived an ancestral tradition by launching the planting of fruit trees such as pear trees that once thrived on the hillsides of the Basque Country.
For many years, driven by patience and passion, they trained with renowned producers in Alsace and Switzerland, gradually discovering the secrets of making the best eaux-de-vie.
Back in their region, they established their own distillery in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. They carried out their first distillations with the dried Ente plum to produce the famous Agen prunes, as well as with the William pear, renowned for its delicate aroma.
1980: the meeting with the Troisgros brothers
The first years were difficult. It was a close-knit couple, Etienne and Adrienne, who ran the trading business and the distillery.
In the early 1980s, an unexpected opportunity presented itself to Etienne when he had his plum brandy tasted by Jean Troisgros, one of Roanne's famous Michelin-starred restaurateurs. During the tasting, after lunch, Jean Troisgros suggested that Etienne taste his plum brandy again. Etienne sniffed the glass without taking a sip. Confused, Jean Troisgros asked, "What's wrong with it?" Etienne replied, "It's not mine." There was silence, then Jean Troisgros said, "Mr. Brana, we're going to work together."
This event marks the first significant recognition for the Brana distillery and the beginning of an irresistible rise. Brana spirits then gain their letters of nobility and are gradually recognized among the best.
1984: Jean creates the Brana vineyard
Jean, Etienne's son, started working alongside his parents at a young age and his passion for wine and vines continued to grow. After studying viticulture and oenology in Bordeaux, he became friends with Jean-Claude Berrouet, a world-renowned and renowned oenologist engineer at PETRUS. He became a true mentor to Jean, thus establishing a special relationship.
In 1984, the family acquired land in the communes of Ispoure, Bussunaritz and Lecumberry. These lands are fallow, but old postcards show that they were once planted with vines that were uprooted during the phylloxera crisis.
With the help of his parents and his sister Martine, Jean decided to breathe new life into these old vines: titanic works were undertaken to create narrow terraces on the steep slopes and allow the planting of vines.
1991: the construction of a winemaking cellar within the Estate
In 1991, the construction of the winemaking cellar in the Ispoure vineyard marked an important milestone for the House. Offering an exceptional view, this place hosts the entire production of Brana wines. The spectacular cellar is built at the heart of the estate, seeming to protect it with its shadow, and is inspired by Navarrese towers.
To design this winery, the family called upon internationally renowned architects, Patrick Dillon and Jean de Gastines. During a visit to their work later, Patrick Dillon declared: "I have built many winery in the world but this place has a real soul."
In 1987, the family planted white grape varieties which would give birth to the first white wine of the Irouléguy appellation after 50 years of neglect.
2014: HVE certification
In 2014, Domaine Brana was certified High Environmental Value (HVE) level III. This certification recognizes the estate's efforts in environmental preservation, biodiversity, water management and the rational use of inputs.
2018: Martine and the distillery
After their father's death in 1992, Martine and Jean decided to share the work in production: the vines and wine went to Jean, and the distillery to Martine. She devotedly worked to preserve and develop the precious ancestral family know-how, while continuing to innovate by using a wide range of fruits, spices and plants.
In 2018, a new distillery was opened in Ossès. Designed in a contemporary, functional, spacious and welcoming spirit, it features a copper-coloured façade in perfect harmony with the still, the essential protagonist of the distillery.
Covering an area of 1500 m², this modern distillery houses three copper stills and vats, all compliant with the latest standards, in order to continue creating new products from distillation. A 200 m² space is dedicated to welcoming customers, where they can taste the House's spirits, liqueurs and wines, making this place a discovery of all Brana's know-how.
2019: conversion to organic farming
The conversion to organic farming by Maison Brana is a significant step in its commitment to environmentally friendly and health-friendly practices. Concerned from the beginning about preserving biodiversity and reducing its impact on nature, the Brana family decided in 2019 to turn to organic farming methods. This conversion process involves gradually abandoning the use of synthetic phytosanitary products in favor of natural and sustainable techniques. The soils are enriched through the use of compost and manure, thus promoting the health of the vineyard and the quality of the fruits.
2019 marks the start of the conversion to Organic Agriculture which will be effective with the 2023 vintage.
2023: Brana joins the Maisons & Manufactures group
To ensure the sustainability of the House while respecting the values it has advocated since its inception, Brana turns to Hugues Souparis. An entrepreneur, Hugues wants to support excellent French know-how. He is committed to preserving French heritage by offering development opportunities to historic French companies, while keeping their DNA and values intact. With Brana, Hugues wants to make the quality products of this House known to as many people as possible and to perpetuate this Basque institution with exceptional human values.
2025: Brana is awarded the Living Heritage Company label
In 2025, Maison Brana received the Living Heritage Company (EPV) label, marking a major milestone in its history, which began in 1897. This state distinction honors exceptional expertise, passed down through generations, encompassing artisanal distillation and terraced viticulture in Irouléguy. More than just an award, this label enshrines Maison Brana's commitment to preserving ancestral techniques and promoting the Basque terroir.
Learn more about Maison Brana
Maison Brana, founded in 1897, is located in the heart of the Pays Basque. It is distinguished by the production of eaux-de-vie, liqueurs, gins, whiskeys and excellent wines. Tradition and innovation blend harmoniously in Brana products, faithful to their values for over a century.
Discover the Maison
Domaine Brana is nestled in the heart of the Irouléguy wine appellation, one of the smallest appellations in France. This atypical estate is home to a diversity of grape varieties that give Brana wines unique aromas characteristic of the region.
Discover the vineyard
The liqueurs and spirits of Maison Brana are made with passion and know-how in the distillery located in Ossès. All the delicacy and finesse of the fruits are found in these precious bottles of spirits produced in the Basque Country: eaux-de-vie, liqueurs, gins and whiskeys.
Discover the distillery