Cassagne et Vitailles

History of Cassagne et Vitailles

The story begins in university lecture halls, where Matthieu Rollin and Nicolas Seffusatti, both from the Montpellier region, bonded over a shared passion for wine and entrepreneurship. Following their studies in the United States, they established a French wine importing company in China, where they worked for about a decade. This international background gave them a precise understanding of the standards behind the world's greatest wines, and above all, the conviction that the Languedoc could rival them.

Returning to France, they fulfilled their childhood dream in 2015—just a year after the creation of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation—by setting up just south of the medieval village of Montpeyroux. Perched on the Mons Petrosus from which it takes its name, this hamlet of three hundred fifty residents is home to one of the Languedoc's most promising terroirs. The first vintage was vinified in 2016. A decade of dedication resulted in an uncompromising project with a clear watchword: Grands Wines du Languedoc. The estate also deliberately bottles certain flagship cuvées as Wine de France rather than adhering to rigid regulations, embracing complete stylistic freedom to serve quality.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Cassagne et Vitailles

The vineyard extends around Montpeyroux, approximately 35 kilometers west of Montpellier and about 30 kilometers from the Mediterranean, across plots scattered at an elevation of roughly 300 meters. This deliberate fragmentation captures the full diversity of Mediterranean terroirs situated at the base of the Larzac plateau. The soils combine clay over limestone bedrock, with pockets of blue marl that bring distinct minerality and freshness to the wines.

The microclimate plays a decisive role here. Days are bright with full sun, yet summer nights remain cool thanks to the nearby plateau, slowing maturation, preserving acidity, and fostering an aromatic complexity rarely found at this latitude. The surrounding fields of lavender, rosemary, and thyme contribute directly to the garrigue notes present in the wines. The grape varieties planted are deliberately varied: Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carignan, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre for the reds; Chardonnay, Grenache White, Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Terret, Carignan White, and Colombard for the whites. The old-vine Carignan in particular represents a prized asset that the estate has chosen to preserve. The 7 hectares are farmed with deep respect for nature, utilizing manual labor, natural cover cropping, and entirely hand-harvested fruit.

Winemaking at Cassagne et Vitailles

Meticulous attention to detail extends into the cellar, which was designed according to Feng Shui principles and benefits from natural thermal inertia, reflecting the estate's holistic approach. Grapes arrive whole, are carefully sorted, and each parcel is vinified separately to preserve its individual character.

Winemaking is designed to have minimal impact on natural cycles and processes, with the winemakers viewing themselves simply as guides along the path to balance. Extractions are gentle, calibrated to yield fine tannins rather than raw power. Much of the signature style is then shaped during maturation: wines rest for 12 to 36 months depending on the cuvée in barrels from the Chassin cooperage—a supplier to top Burgundy domains—followed by refinement in concrete eggs. This combination polishes the tannic structure while preserving the purity and vibrancy of the fruit. As a result, the wines leave the cellar after aging periods well beyond regional norms, ready to be enjoyed while holding genuine cellaring potential.

Cuvées of Cassagne et Vitailles

Combarels White (IGP Pays d'Oc): the estate's only white wine, blending Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Viognier, and Colombard. Vinified for tension and precision, it reveals aromas of yellow apple, apricot, elderflower, and nutmeg over a crisp, lively, and wonderfully balanced palate. An illuminating introduction to the estate's style.

Combarels de l'Ombre (Terrasses du Larzac AOC): a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, sourced from the cooler vineyard parcels. Highly fruit-forward, it displays cherry, small red berries, lavender, and black pepper, complemented by refreshing acidity and silky tannins. An immediately pleasurable red, crafted with the same precision as the top cuvées.

Combarels à la Lumière (Terrasses du Larzac AOC): the counterpart to the former, featuring inverted proportions of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. More structured and sun-drenched, it showcases ripe dark fruit, notes of olive and garrigue, and a denser tannic core. The two red Combarels form a captivating pair to taste side by side.

Les Chausmes (Languedoc Montpeyroux AOC): sourced from the iconic terroir of Montpeyroux, this blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache offers a medium body, velvety tannins, and a distinctly Mediterranean aromatic palette of rosemary, cherry, and eucalyptus. Freshness and savory appeal take precedence over sheer power.

Clas Mani (Terrasses du Larzac AOC): one of the estate's most refined cuvées, blending Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache from its finest plots. Elegant and remarkably balanced, it combines aromas of sandalwood, strawberry, and lavender with a fine, lingering structure—the truest expression of the "Perfectus in Statera" philosophy.

Nimalaya (Wine de France): a single-varietal red made from 100% old-vine Carignan, deliberately crafted outside the appellation system to allow the grape full expression. Both powerful and elegant, it opens with blackberry, blueberry, sandalwood, and rosemary, showing a depth and freshness that establish it as one of the finest modern interpretations of this Languedoc variety.

Les Célis (Wine de France): the first of the estate's three great single-parcel Grenaches. Notably silky and complex, it reveals notes of potpourri, rose petals, and raspberry, delivered in an ethereal style that evokes Burgundy as much as the South.

Les Homs (Wine de France): a second single-vineyard Grenache, distinguished by refined acidity and velvety tannins. The nose blends rose petals and strawberry, while the palate unites tension and sensuality, leading into a long-lasting saline finish.

Les Crouzets (Wine de France): the third installment in the single-parcel Grenache trilogy, widely regarded as the most impressive. Its density, depth, and refinement draw comparisons to the finest wines of the southern Rhône Valley, accompanied by substantial aging potential.