Founded in 1651 by Jacques du Parquet (1606-1658), the first governor of Martinique, Habitation La Montagne was originally an agricultural estate dedicated to the cultivation of tobacco and indigo as well as to livestock. Anchored on the slopes of Mount Pelée in the north of the island, its fertile land was quickly used for the cultivation of sugar cane, becoming the cradle of the Depaz agricultural rum brand. The 1,287 acres (521 ha) of sugar cane soaked in the sun and nourished by the volcanic soils of the island as well as the extreme purity of the water have established the reputation of these rums, now certified by the Rhum de la Martinique AOC label.