Domaine Montrose

Domaine Montrose - historical viticulture in Languedoc

Domaine Montrose is located in the Languedoc region of southern France, not far from Pézenas. Domaine Montrose and its surroundings have been inhabited for thousands of years. In ancient times, it was probably a Roman villa. The "Valros Tower" next to the vineyards was a Carolingian necropolis and then a fortress in the Middle Ages. Wine has been made in Montrose since the 16th century, as evidenced by the underground tanks beneath the wine cellar. In 1701, the Besizer's ancestor, Joseph Alazard, received the coat of arms of the Three Lizards. As a tribute to him, today it adorns all the bottles of Domaine Montrose. The estate has now been owned by the Coste family for nine generations.

The terroir of Domaine Montrose

The vineyards around the estate are planted on a range of rather unusual soils:

• Clay-limestone: balanced soils, fresh and filtering
• Villafranch terraces: small round pebbles, naturally poor in nutrients, typical of the appellation
• Volcanic soils

The flagship of the estate, typical of the region, is a rosé wine with the emblematic name 1701. This rosé is vinified from Grenache and Rousanne, which thrive on the volcanic soils of the estate. In the wine world, this rosé is very well known and is considered one of the best in the area.

Environmentally sustainable viticulture at Domaine Montrose

Domaine Montrose is strongly committed to environmentally sustainable viticulture. Especially in the hot Languedoc, the effects of climate change are already being felt substantially. The estate holds the HVE-3 certification, the highest level for organic farming in France. It is also constantly working to reduce the farm's CO-2 emissions, for example with hydroelectric dams or even wind farms. The vineyards are surrounded by uncultivated land such as forests and meadows to reduce the impact on the ecosystem. A program of planting new native trees such as olive, almond or oak is ongoing.