Gardiès

History of Domaine Gardiès

The Castany family settled in Vingrau and Espira-de-l'Agly in the Pyrénées-Orientales in the 18th century. For generations, mixed farming dominated: vine, olive, and other agricultural productions. It was Justin Castany, at the beginning of the 20th century, who made the bet on the vine by introducing the native Catalan grape varieties: Grenache blanc, gris and noir, Carignan, varieties that would become the pillars of modern Roussillon. His daughter Noëlle, who received a viticultural training, inherited the estate after the war, married Henri Gardiès and renamed the property Domaine Gardiès, progressively ceasing the ancillary productions to focus on the vine.

Jean Gardiès père took over the estate in the 1960s, expanding it to around thirty hectares. His son Jean, an emblematic figure of the viticultural renewal of the Roussillon, took over in the 1990s. He was one of the first to leave the local cooperative to vinify his own cuvées, focusing on precision viticulture. He was also one of the pioneers of high-density replanting of indigenous grape varieties such as Carignan and Grenache to encourage deep rooting. In 2004, he completely abandoned chemical treatments and moved the estate towards biodynamics. A celebrated anecdote illustrates his philosophy: Jean refused to use the slightest herbicide, even in the face of a thistle invasion, preferring to pull them out by hand with his children. Today, Jean works side by side with his son Victor, perpetuating and developing this heritage in a classic style, unanimously respected.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Gardiès

Domaine Gardiès spans two high-quality, complementary and distinct terroirs. At Espira-de-l'Agly, nestled against the foothills of the Corbières, the terroir is composed of black schists, poor and well-drained soils that give the wines power, depth and typicity. The Mediterranean winds sweep through this terroir with force, contributing to the natural health of the vines. At Vingrau, the ancestral home of the Gardiès family, old Grenache and Carignan vines thrive on clays and limestones, backed by spectacular cliffs, lending their signature to the estate's great cuvées. The plots of the Génégals terroir, situated on the heights of Vingrau, are the favoured location for white grape varieties and bring balance and freshness to the red wines.

The vines have an average age of 50 years, with numerous grape varieties coexisting on the estate: in red, Grenache noir (dominant), Carignan, Syrah and Mourvèdre; in white, Grenache blanc, Grenache gris, Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon), Maccabeu and Roussanne. This rich ampelographic heritage is the fruit of seven generations of careful transmission. The vines are certified Organic Farming by Ecocert. Harvests are manual. Since Jean, herbicides have been banned, the soil is ploughed and microbial life is stimulated by applications of natural compost.

Vinifications of Domaine Gardiès

Jean and Victor Gardiès vinify with a simple and consistent philosophy: "living in harmony with raw and wild nature, understanding that everything stems from the land and the constant attention one brings to it." Extractions are gentle, of an infusion type for cuvées such as Les Millères. Fermentations take place with indigenous yeasts. Ageing is carried out in large oak vats or demi-muids, of which a small proportion is new (depending on the cuvée), for 8 to 18 months according to the intended style. No fining, no sulphites on certain cuvées, minimal filtration. For the whites, ageing is now done in 600-litre demi-muids, preserving a remarkable mineral attachment. The wines are aged in concrete tanks for certain cuvées such as Les Millères, "vinification and ageing predominantly in concrete." 

The cuvées of Domaine Gardiès

Côtes Catalanes On s'en Fish! (Rouge): A light and summery cuvée, the estate's thirst-quenching wine, "from the light, easy-drinking and very summery On s'en Fish..." A blend of Grenache noir (60%), Maccabeu and Grenache gris, on clay-limestone soils. Fermentation and ageing in concrete tanks, no SO2, no filtration, indigenous yeasts. "A red wine to accompany fish, but not only... A wine that is both indulgent and deep." Aromas of fresh red fruits (strawberry, raspberry), white flowers and raisins, fresh and delicate palate.

Côtes du Roussillon Les Millères (Rouge): The estate's emblematic red cuvée, made from a blend of the limestones of Vingrau: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre. "A miracle of Mediterranean freshness" according to the Revue des Vins de France. Gentle extraction, of an infusion type. Vinification and ageing predominantly in concrete tanks. "Very fine, it is a wine to keep for a few years. A great favourite." Notes of garrigue, spices, red and black fruits. Fine and precise tannins. "Light, fruity, indulgent and quite classy."

Côtes du Roussillon Le Clos des Vignes (Rouge): A prestigious red cuvée, made from Grenache noir and Carignan aged 60 to 70 years (vinified together, 70%) on clay-limestone soils of Vingrau, complemented by Syrah (20%) and Mourvèdre (10%). Fermentation and 12-month ageing in large oak vats and demi-muids. "Intense colour with garnet reflections. Intense nose of ripe red fruit aromas, spices and balsamic notes. Elegant, precise and deep palate. A generous flavour of juicy fruit, elevated by minerality, supple tannins and beautiful unctuousness." Ageing potential of up to 8 years. "An exceptional wine."

Côtes du Roussillon Villages La Torre (Rouge): A red cuvée made from Mourvèdre on the schists of Espira-de-l'Agly. "Complex, with present but fine and delicate tannins." A rare and singular expression of Mourvèdre on these black schist terroirs, with remarkable depth and aromatic complexity. Aged in large oak vats and demi-muids.

Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Falaises (Rouge): The estate's great red cuvée, made from the steepest plots of Vingrau, "up to the most serious and structured cuvée Les Falaises." A blend of the finest Grenache and Carignan on the clay-limestone terroirs beneath the spectacular cliffs of Vingrau. "A velvety palate combining finesse and generosity, with an enchanting length. An exceptional Côtes du Roussillon Villages, built for long ageing." The estate's absolute reference cuvée.

Côtes du Roussillon Les Glacières (Blanc): The estate's first white wine and one of the great favourites among tasters. A blend of old Grenache blanc and gris, Roussanne, Maccabeu and Tourbat. Bottled in April following the harvest, with an ageing potential of 5 to 8 years. "Absolutely magnificent." Exceptional freshness, beautiful roundness, floral and white fruit notes, remarkable length. Aged in 600-litre demi-muids.

Côtes du Roussillon Clos des Vignes (Blanc): "One of our favourite tasting discoveries. Carried by exceptional freshness, with a beautiful roundness, floral notes and white fruits reveal themselves. The finish is eternal. A delicious wine to enjoy right now, even if it has great ageing potential." The estate's prestigious single-plot white cuvée.

Côtes Catalanes La Torreta (Blanc): A white cuvée made from a blend of Tourbat (Malvoisie du Roussillon, a forgotten grape variety of the region) and Maccabeu, on the terroir of Espira-de-l'Agly. "The blend of malvoisie and maccabeu reveals a round and mineral wine with lightly candied notes and an oxidative hint. A cuvée with Catalan accents. Phenomenal!" Aromas of ripe fruits, candied fruits, citrus, ripe grapefruit, characteristic freshness and minerality.

Côtes Catalanes Les Vignes de Mon Père (Blanc): A white cuvée made from a blend of Malvoisie, Maccabeu and Roussanne. "The nose combines fruitiness and floral touches that make for a bouquet of fine aromas. Long, ample, mineral, fresh, floral (acacia, hawthorn) and finely spiced palate. A very fine wine, complex, which will give its best in a few years." The white cuvée paying tribute to Jean Gardiès' father.

Je Cherche le Ciel (IGP Côtes Catalanes): A confidential cuvée made from Grenache gris and Mourvèdre, in an original and expressive style, testament to the creativity of Jean and Victor Gardiès outside the strict framework of appellations.

Les Glacières Rouge (IGP Côtes Catalanes): A red cuvée made from Grenache noir, Maccabeu and Grenache gris on clay-limestone soils. "A very delicate cuvée, with a fresh nose and aromas of fresh almond, that surprises by its length on the palate." A 100% Grenache gris in a tenderly rosé colour, "full of poetry." A confidential and highly original expression of Grenache gris in a delicate and aromatic register.