Stock Photo - Le Maine Giraud manor - now in part a museum remembering Alfred de Vigny, the 19th century romantic poet - was built and altered between the 12th and the 15th centuries, and belonged to Vigny between 1827 until his death in 1863. . Vigny inherited it from his aunt Sophie de Baraudin, who was his mother´s elder sister. He had first seen it in 1823, when he was 26 and a military captain, and had been very impressed. His grandfather, the Marquis of Baraudin, was an admiral who wished to remain close to the ports Rochefort and La Rochelle. . On Vigny´s inheriting it, the manor was in a bad state of repair, but instead of selling it he decided to restore it bit by bit. . Today, as in the days of Alfred de Vigny, Maine Giraud is a vineyard. The visitor can follow , in the footsteps of the poet, discover the secrets of the making. Pineau through a tour of the cellars and distillery. Pineau des Charentes or just â. . Pineauâ. . is a French aperitif blended of slightly fermented grape must and eaux-de-vie (Cognac) and is served chilled in a tulip shaped glass. The annual production of pineau is around 14,000,000 litres. Around 80% of this is made in the Charente-Maritime département. Its production is controlled under the Appellation d´Origine Contrôlée.