Domaine Gayda

The Domaine Gayda near Carcassone

The Domaine Gayda estate was originally a post relay station on the "Chemin de Moscou" from 1749. Later it became a winery and today it also offers a wine school, a restaurant and guest rooms. The "Arbre de Moscou", a now vanished mighty pine tree that stood next to the estate, was once a waymarker for Andean airmen in the 1920s flying from Toulouse to South America. In 2003, winemaker Vincent Chansault and four wine friends purchased the estate.

The 45 hectares of vineyards are spread over different sites in Languedoc and Roussillon. This has the advantage that Domaine Gayda can fall back on different terroirs. The vineyards are more and more cultivated organically. The "Figure libre" line and the "Chemin de Moscou" and "Villa Mon Rêve" wines are already certified organic. All wines are produced in our own cellar. In addition to a select cellar technique, concrete eggs and a sophisticated selection of different barriques are used.

The 4 terroirs of Languedoc and Roussillon

The 4 terroirs spread over the Languedoc and the Roussillon allow Domaine Gayda to produce particularly varied wines. The vines grow on soils of limestone, sandstone, granite and slate.

Domaine Gayda

• Altitude: 200m
• Soil: Calcareous sandstone
• Grape varieties: Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Chenin, Sauvignon, Viognier
• Orientation: South, Southwest

La Livinière

• Altitude: 200 to 260m
• Soil: Limestone
• Grapevarieties: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Carignan (red), Viognier
• Orientation: South, Southwest

Col de la Dona

• Altitude: 160m
• Soil: Slate
• Grapevarieties: Syrah, Grenache
• Orientation: South

Latour de France

• Altitude: 280m
• Soil: Gneiss
• Grapevarieties: Syrah, Grenache, Carignan (red)
• Orientation: South-West

The Domaine Gayda cellar

Standing still is a foreign word at Domaine Gayda. Thanks to the use of new techniques and innovations, the cellar is constantly evolving. Cooling systems have been installed to reduce the use of sulphites. Concrete eggs, terracotta and clay vessels, and oak barriques are used to age the wines. Tradition and innovation are combined for the unique taste of Domaine Gayda wines.

Winemaker Vincent Chansault

The young winemaker at Domaine Gayda was born in 1980. After graduating from the Cognac School of Viticulture and Enology, he cut his teeth in various areas of the Loire Valley, the Rhône and the Languedoc before flying to South Africa, where he worked in an area of the Stellenbosch region. There he met Tim Ford, Anthony Record and Marc Kent. Based on his experience, he has contributed to the creation of Domaine Gayda by selecting the best grape varieties and the most beautiful vines to create quality wines that are in line with the image of the Domaine and the region.

The Team

Tim Ford had years of experience in horticulture in South Africa, but winemaking has always been his dream. At Domaine Gayda, he is the general manager. David Chardron, like Vincent Chansault, studied at the Cognac School of Viticulture and Enology, specialising in the commercial sector. He graduated with a focus on viticulture and winemaking. After years of professional experience, he went back to school at a commercial college. After graduating, he joined Domaine Gayda as sales manager. Anthony Record MBE (Member of the British Empire) is, so to speak, the patron of Domaine Gayda and has put together the team.