Chateau de Caraguilhes: Pioneers of Organic Viticulture in the Heart of Corbières
Chateau de Caraguilhes is located in the Corbières region of Languedoc, France, an area renowned for wine-making for over 2,000 years. The monks of the Cistercian Order recognized the region's ideal growing conditions in the 12th century and established Caraguilhes as a prosperous wine estate. Remarkably, the estate has maintained its original 600 hectares throughout history.
In 1958, Lionel Faivre, a visionary winemaker from Algeria, took over Caraguilhes. He pioneered organic farming practices, avoiding chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides, transforming the estate into a fully organic vineyard by the late 1980s. In 1998, Pierre Gabison acquired the estate, continuing the tradition of high-quality organic wine-making.
Vineyards and Sustainability
The vineyards span 135 hectares, surrounded by 500 hectares of garrigue, creating a rich ecosystem. Located 30 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea, the vineyards benefit from the Tramontane wind, which helps keep the vines healthy by reducing fungal diseases and harmful insects. The diverse soils and varying vineyard exposures contribute to the unique character of each parcel.
Red Varieties: Syrah, Carignan, Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre, Merlot, Alicante, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
White Varieties: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Marsanne.
Wine-Making Techniques
Chateau de Caraguilhes employs traditional wine-making techniques to craft their wines. The process begins with hand-harvesting the grapes to ensure only the best fruit is selected. Fermentation occurs naturally with indigenous yeasts, allowing the true character of the grapes to shine through. The wines are aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, which adds complexity and depth to the final product.
Philosophy
Chateau de Caraguilhes is dedicated to organic viticulture, aiming to produce wines with distinct style and richness using traditional techniques. The goal is to let the soils and vines express themselves naturally, creating wines that reflect the estate's unique environment. The commitment is to craft elegant, balanced wines that convey the extraordinary land and history of Caraguilhes.
The Chateau holds several important certifications that shows their commitment to organic and sustainable practices:
Organic Agriculture Certification: The estate has been certified organic since 1987, adhering to strict guidelines that prohibit the use of synthetic chemicals.
Bio Suisse Certification: This certification indicates compliance with the rigorous standards set by Bio Suisse, a leading organic farming organization.
EU Organic Certification: The estate complies with the European Union's organic farming regulations, ensuring their practices meet high environmental and sustainability standards.