For centuries the farmers of the Domfront region have been producing Calvados in which a high proportion of pears was blended with cider apples. Pears seem to have become part of the Calvados brewing and distilling process in the 14th century. The particularities of Calvados from the Domfront region were recognized in 1942 by the attribution of a regulated appellation, "Calvados du Domfrontais”. The Domfront area is well known for its large number of pear orchards, and the Calvados made in this region has always possessed a unique character much appreciated by connoisseurs.

The system set up in 1942, with an Appellation Contrôlée for "Calvados du Pays d'Auge” associated with 10 regulated appellations was considered too complex. A reform was introduced in 1984: the 10 sub-regional regulated appellations were abolished and replaced by a new Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), "Calvados”. In view of its reputation, a "Calvados du Domfrontais” AOC could have been maintained. But the producers from the Domfront region failed to unite their efforts to define the specific characteristics of their Calvados and demand an AOC for the "Calvados du Domfrontais”. This lack of motivation was perhaps linked to the fact that a significant amount of clandestine distilling still went on in the region. So the Commission of Enquiry did not adopt this solution, and Calvados from this region could only be distinguished by the words "production fermière du Domfrontais” on the label, provided certain conditions were met.

The failure to seize this opportunity was deplored by several people, and notably by Jean Pinchon, then National President of the INAO and President of the Bureau National des Calvados, and Alain Lecornu, Director of the Bureau National du Calvados. The principle of a new global reform of the AOC Calvados zones was adopted, and Jean Pinchon and Alain Lecornu encouraged Christian Drouin, a producer from Pays d'Auge, to take an interest in Calvados from the Domfront region. They suggested that he form a partnership with Les Chais du Verger Normand du Domfront and urge the producers to form a professional association which could apply for a specific AOC. The President of the Chais du Verger Normand, Maurice Chevret, adopted the idea with enthusiasm. Christian Drouin and Maurice Chevret began to look for a personality who could head the project. It seemed to them that the founder of the Chais du Verger Normand, Count Louis de Lauriston, was ideally qualified for the task. A man of generous spirit, devoted to his region, he finally agreed, and in 1991 he was elected by the producers as the first president of the Syndicat Professionnel des Producteurs de Calvados du Domfront. On 13 January 1992 the Syndicat submitted an application to the INAO for the creation of an AOC "Calvados du Domfrontais”, and in June 1993 the Commission of Enquiry chaired by M. Chiron returned a favourable report to the National Committee.

However, it was not until the publication of a decree on 31 December 1997 that this AOC was finally recognized. Louis de Lauriston, who died in February 1997, did not live to see his efforts crowned with success. Maurice Chevret became President of the "Syndicat du Calvados Domfrontais” until the AOC was obtained, and was succeeded by Gérard Leroyer in 1998.