Chateau de Mayragues

VINEYARD

Situated 10 kms north of Gaillac close to the large national Gresigne forest, one of the oldest natural oak forests on France, the vineyard sits in rolling, wooded countryside on the slopes leading down to the Tarn river, a very protected environment. The soil varies from very chalky to quite limey. Both the winter rains and the summer sun make the ground difficult to work. In bio-dynamics, timing is important in carrying out the various tasks in the vineyard: on our land, timing is everything!

Bio-dynamics

Bio-dynamics is all about doing what comes naturally so as to foster life's vital forces in the earth. Working with the natural rhythms of the earth, daily, monthly and annual, the primary objective of bio-dynamics is to promote the health and vigour of the soil or 'terroir'. Plants growing in healthy ground have a much better chance of being healthy in them selves and of being able to ward off disease. Specific bio-dynamic preparations, made from animal, vegetal and mineral inputs, are sprayed in homeopathic doses on the vines after being stirred rhythmically and filtered. the ground between the vines is tilled regularly and the effect of the preparations and working the ground is to free up the nutrients available in the soil and to encourage the roots of the vines to plunge deep in search of these nutrients,  producing grapes which are not only healthy but also bear the real trademarks of the 'terroir'. the grapes are all hand-picked and each variety is separately vinified without adding any yeasts or enzymes, preferring to assist nature at what it does best in transforming grape juice into wine, we follow our bio-dynamic approach through to its conclusion, (as a winemaker!) of wine in the bottle.

RED

Duras - one of the oldest varieties of Gaillac, not grown elsewhere, with hints of pepper and spices. Considered by some growers to be a bit insipid, but the concentration resulting from Bio-dynamics seems to take care of this problem.
Braucol - known also as Fer Servadou, a regional variety coming from the same family as Cabernet Sauvignon but more rustic, giving a pronounced vigour to the wines. Renowned for the medicinal properties of its poly-phenols.
Syrah - Mediterranean variety blending well, and reinforcing the characteristics of the native Duras, adding to the aromatic complexity of the wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon - relatively recent (100 years!) to the Gaillac region, bringing a certain finesse and enhancing their ability to benefit from maturing in oak barrels.

Grape Varieties

Gaillac is fortunate in having a number of grape varieties which are specific to the region, giving wines which have a distinct character. Bio-dynamic methods applied in the vineyard and in the wine-making process, enhance these individual characteristics.

White

Loin de l'Oeil - 'Len de Lel' in Languedoc and 'Far from the Eye' in English, so named because the bunch of grapes has a long stem taking it far from the 'eye', or bud. Grown only in Gaillac and although it has a tendency to overproduce when grown under traditional methods using chemicals, it thrives under bio-dynamics. Serves particularly well for our late-harvested desert wine made from grapes attacked by Botrytis, or noble rot.
Mauzac - exists in at least seven varieties of which we have two: strongly individualistic characteristics recalling green apples and pears. Adapts well to different types of wine, both sparkling and dry, and was the preferred variety in Gaillac for making the sweet desert wines until we started using the Loin de l'Oeil.