Wine Routes in Occitania

Updated on 06/09/2022 • by Baptiste THARREAU

The merger of the Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions created a territory called Occitania. The Greater Region has 13 departments, 8 Unesco classified sites, 9 natural parks and... 280,000 hectares of vines! If it was the oldest, it is now the largest vineyard in the world.

Wine routes

The discovery of this gigantic wine-growing territory cannot be done in one go, it can be done on the fly, at random from the "Vignobles et Découvertes" signs or by following the itinerary. Some circuits are even adapted to all types of transport: bicycle, motorbike, horse, Segway... And there are applications that, equipped with a GPS, guide you to the domains while giving a lot of information

Those who are crazy about the product will go to the Pic Saint-Loup, where you can follow a "wine and flavours" route that combines the discovery of the vineyards and the AOC Pélardon, local honey and olive oil. In the Pays d'Agde, the "wine growers and fishermen" tour combines visits to wine estates with visits to shellfish farms. We will follow the circuit "between land and sea in Petite Camargue" by bike and the motorcyclists will take the "wine road by motorbike". Art and wine go hand in hand on the "Marcillac wine route" where you can follow in the footsteps of Pierre Soulages. Finally, at digestive time, follow the "Les Bons Crus d'Artagnan®" itineraries, one of which leads to the most beautiful Armagnac estates in the Gers. In the Toulouse region, she has redoubled her ingenuity with several walks in the Frontonnais region to discover the secrets of her new grape variety, the negrette... And that's just a handful of examples!

Monuments and institutions

Listed as a Historic Monument, the splendid Valmagne Abbey has been one of the historical and wine-growing jewels of the Languedoc since the Cistercian monks in the 12th century. The vine has always watered the church with mass wine as it did at the Abbey of Fontfroide, towards Narbonne, an architectural jewel, also classified

In the Gaillac region, Saint-Michel Abbey has been partially converted into a wine showcase, presenting more than a hundred local wines that it offers for tasting. In the outbuildings of the former Episcopal Palace of Condom, nestles the Armagnac museum and its impressive press. We then plunge under the rock of Cabardès, 80 meters deep with Terra Vinéa for a playful journey through a "sound and light" circuit. Another place, the same educational mores at the Labastide de Lévis winery, an institution in the Gaillac region. The site has created a "legendary route" in several parts, including the vineyard garden, the winemaking cellar with projections and a route overlooking the bottling line. Finally, mention should be made of the wine tourism centre of the Lunel region, Viavino, and its permanent exhibition

For the love of the land

Respect for the land and know-how are particularly highlighted in certain estates such as Château Auzias, which covers nearly 200 hectares (half of which are vineyards), just a stone's throw from the City of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi, two Unesco listed sites. The property, located on the ancient Abbey N.-D. de Paretlongue founded in the 12th century by the canons of Carcassonne, is in fusion with its Cabardès appellation, the only appellation with the neighbouring Malepère which combines Atlantic (Merlot, Cabernet) and Mediterranean (Grenache, Syrah) grape varieties. Château Auzias advocates respect for tradition and the artisan quality of its wines during guided tours, by golf cart or sidecar, through the vineyards, then to the winery and cellars (with its own bottling line), before the lively tastings in the cellar, remarkable for its telescopic tasting table and the impressive number of medals and diplomas awarded to the Château's wines. Château Auzias also offers a workshop to create your own wine. This "success story" already calls for another one, since today, Château Auzias is present on the other side of the world, at Château Reifeng-Auzias, the family's property in Penglai, in the Chinese Far East, which is among the best wines in the world according to the "Decanter World Award" in London!

If there are others who cherish their land, they are the winegrowers of the Gorges du Tarn and their authentic Comptoir Paysan in Aguessac. Adjacent to the Côtes de Millau cooperative cellar, this area offers all the ranges of the vintage alongside local products. "Malbec-Truffe-Safran", this trilogy presents another face, that of the Tarn and the audacious Georges Vigouroux. In his estates of Châteaux Haute-Serre and Mercuès, he invites the visitor to different experiences around the terroir. Some people have a love of biodynamic agriculture, such as the illustrious Maison Cazes in the Rivesaltes region. The visit of the estate reveals all the biodynamic techniques, the maturing cellar of the natural sweet wines and the "food and wine" matches at the delicious Table d'Aimé. In another vein, but still biodynamic, Clos Trotelligote in Villesèque stands out thanks to the fruity and gourmet wines of Emmanuel Rybinski, an illustrious figure of the new generation

Luxury getaways..

Towards Béziers, Château les Carasses rents out the buildings of its 19th century wine house to aesthetes and wine lovers. Gardens, orangery, infinity pool, tennis court... are arranged in the middle of the 64-hectare vineyard. Between the Cathar and Catalan lands, Domaine Riberach plays the card of well-being within its eco-lodge. The wine atmosphere is magical, from the star restaurant in the old wine press to the spa and the natural swimming pool. The estate also offers Wine Safaris to discover the vineyards by 4X4. This spirit of contemporary luxury also graces Villa Cahors Malbec, a resolutely modern venue that comes alive to the rhythm of winegrowers' after-work sessions, conferences, tapas aperitifs and live concerts... We go back up to the massifs of La Clape to discover a renowned wine tourism complex, signed Gérard Bertrand. Château Hospitalet is a 16th century mansion of character entirely surrounded by pine forest, scrubland and vines. It has 38 rooms, a restaurant, a swimming pool and a tasting cellar with more than 90 references of Gérard Bertrand wines

... or original

Some areas offer original experiences. The Mas de Tourelle in Beaucaire invites you to an archaeological exploration in their Gallo-Roman cellar where they make wine according to the ancient method with a wooden lever press, terracotta jars and amphoras. You can also go to the Domaine Saint Jean de l'Arbousier, former property of the Templars on the heights of Castries, which has stormed the tops of the arbutus trees to nest huts. The Domaine du Gazania hosts magnificent budgies in its exotic greenhouse and exhibits a vast collection of tropical plants and an amazing water maze. A soothing stroll before tasting the local production, IGP Lavilledieu, including the rosé 2015, which received the first prize for South-West wines. In a completely different register, Château de Lastours combines wine and motor sports. On 90 km of tracks, in the heart of the Corbières, there is room for quad biking, 4X4 driving courses or rallies. And, in the itinerant genre, we love the concept of the Fronton Wine Truck, which takes its roots in the ephemeral Toulouse bistro Le Canaille Club before taking to the roads of the region

Smart info

When? In the summer, the programme of wine festivities is dense. In September, it is the occasion to participate in the harvest and spring is a great season to travel the roads of the South.

Getting there. By plane, train or car, anything is possible.

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Useful. To best prepare his escapade.

SUD DE FRANCE DÉVELOPPEMENT, CLUB ŒNOTOURISME - More information on the site

CHÂTEAU AUZIAS - More information on the site

ABBAYE DE VALMAGNE - More information on the site

COLD COOLER ABBAY - More information on the site

ABBAYE SAINT MICHEL - More information on the site

MUSÉE DE L'ARMAGNAC - More information on the site

TERRA VINEA - More information on the site