Domaine Ampelous

At the foot of the Montagne Noire, in Caunes-Minervois in the Aude department, Domaine Ampelous has a rather unique story: that of a man from Burgundy who came to Cathar country in search of a new playground to express his vision of wine. After more than thirty years of experience at several Burgundian wineries, Pascal Guillemier decided to change course and create his own estate in the Minervois region. After more than two years of searching, he settled in Caunes-Minervois and took over a 20-hectare property, surrounded by garrigue and holm oaks.

The vineyard is situated in a landscape typical of the Minervois region, between the Montagne Noire and the Aude Valley. The plots, which are particularly stony, rest on clay-limestone soils that, depending on the area, contain a mixture of marble, schist, pebbles, silt, and sand. This high concentration of stones naturally limits the vigor of the vines and promotes concentrated grapes. The varying exposures and diversity of soils thus allow each plot to express its own distinct character.

Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, and Merlot make up the vineyard. Some plots consist of old vines, particularly Carignan, with vines that can be nearly 80 years old. The estate produces both iconic Languedoc grape varieties and more original wines, such as Merlot and Cinsault under the Pays d’Oc IGP designation. This diversity allows Pascal Guillemier to explore various expressions of the terroir, ranging from rich, fruity wines to deeper, more structured vintages.

In the vineyard, the estate prioritizes mechanical soil management and sustainable viticulture. Ampelous is certified at Level 3 under the High Environmental Value program, with a focus on biodiversity and the controlled use of inputs. This approach is part of a commitment to preserving the soil and promoting a sustainable balance in the vineyard, without seeking organic certification.

It is, however, in the winery that Pascal Guillemier’s Burgundian influence is most evident. Each grape variety and each vineyard parcel is vinified and aged separately in order to fully understand its identity before considering blends. The grapes are destemmed; maceration can last up to 28 days; and the wines are then aged in temperature-controlled tanks, without any time in oak. The goal is to let the fruit and terroir speak for themselves rather than trying to mask them with aging.

From Minervois wines such as “Derrière chez Marie” and “Chez Clovis” to the Pays d’Oc IGP wines “Petit Merlin” and “Cinsault,” the wines of Domaine Ampelous showcase the many facets of the Languedoc vineyards. These are generous, expressive wines, yet crafted with precision, where fruit, freshness, and the unique character of each vineyard take center stage. A signature style born from the union of thirty years of Burgundian expertise and the untamed, luminous terroirs of the Minervois.