Adolphe purchased the château at Sillery in 1850. This was to be, in part, a country retreat for Louisa. It would allow her a degree of privacy not afforded by living in the centre of town where Adolphe loved to entertain lavishly. The prime purpose for securing the property was to grow grapes which could give Jacquesson et Fils a personal brand with its own characteristics. In this Adolphe was ahead of his time as this trend only took on any significance after 1900. The traditional champagne industry had always been divided into two district segments - the grape growers and the wine makers. When Adolphe purchased the property, the great home which had been the residence of the Marquises of Sillery was in ruin.
Adolphe wasted no time in securing the services of a Dr Jules Guyot to be the architect. The patronising of so-called friends in difficult circumstances was the second of Adolphe's weaknesses which would eventually count against him. He loved to intervene in the destiny of people to help them. He mistakenly thought that their gratitude would equal his generosity, but it was rarely the case and his relationship with Guyot was to prove particularly stormy!
It was agreed that the work would take ten years to complete. It was to commence in 1851 and the total cost was estimated at 100000 fr. Guyot would also receive 10000 fr. retainer for each year of work plus all his expenses and accommodation for him and his family. They were to live on the premises as soon as a lodging was built. A quarry was purchased at nearby Commeller to provide the white stones for the works which survived right up to the Great War when they were largely destroyed by German bombardments.
Drainage canals in the marsh were dug that enabled the development of irrigated pasture for sheep. In the part of the property called La Coulerie waters from an artesian source were brought right up to the farm by underground pottery pipes. A huge pond was dug which took the form of a crescent. A long screen of fir trees which later on became superb and majestic was intended to protect the wild duck and to muffle the noise of vessels on the nearby canal. 3000 to 4000 pine trees were scattered in the park, and at the place called Paradise other species were mixed with them. Unfortunately the property was on the front line for the duration of the Great War and the landscaping suffered the same fate as the buildings!
In 1852 the islands in the Vesle were restored by landscaping. Some forty or more ornamental bridges were built. Expenses mounted with frightening rapidity. Guyot played on Adolphe's pride and pushed him to complete the extremely costly projects saying that his honour was at stake.
In the fields Guyot created a huge vineyard at great expense. Canal boats from Châlons brought good earth to improve the soil where the vines were planted. With considerable expense these new plantations were protected against the winter cold and the winds with great fires whose heat and warm smoke enveloped them. The doctor had made four large looms for making matting. Each day he obtained 200 metres which were immediately installed in the vineyard.

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