"Terroir"

Dam on theAgly river taken from Cassagnes

The vineyard is located in the upper valley of the Agly river. It belongs to "Les Fenouillèdes" area, which is famous for its "micro-terroir".

The vines are all set on slopes, which altitude varies between 250 and 350 meters.( 85 and 115 feet high).

Soils.

The soils are of a great geological variety, and are formed with granite sand, gneiss and schist.

These soils are poor, always with a steep slope, and so they are extremely good to the culture of vine and to producing high quality wines.

• Gneiss and sand granite are to be found  on the soils of Cassagnes and Bélesta territory.

• Schist is present on a small area of Bélesta.

CLIMATE

We have a sub-mediterranean climate, with a yearly rain average of about 600 mm.

We have heavy rain in Spring and Autumn.

The wind is blowing frequently from the north-west, and it is called "La Tramontane". It is a dry and cold wind which helps the grapes to mature and get free of diseases.

L'Appellation "Côtes du roussillon Villages'
The designation "Côtes du Roussillon Villages" concerns only red wine produced in 32 different localities of the Pyrénees Orientales

 Just les than 5000 acres of vines are entitled to produce this quality of wine. The vineyard are located on slopes or terraces with soils made up of granite, gneiss, shist and limestone.
The yield is limited to 45 hectolitres (4500 litres) per hectare (2.5 acres).

The varietals are typicaly mediterranean : Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre.

Four territories have obtained a local designation, because of their originality, own production and the high profile of their wines.
This four territories can add the name of their village on the wine label.

- Latour de France : schist
- Caramany on which vines of  Cassagnes and Bélesta  are located : gneiss
- Lesquerde : granite sands.

- Tautavel :  red clay layers on compact limestone