The Madiran Wine Route, a must when talking about the wines of the South West. Between seas and mountains, the Madiran vineyard is located in the Hautes-Pyrénées region. Madiran is a small commune of a few hundred inhabitants and gives its name to the famous wine.
The steps of our Madiran Wine Route :
Madiran wines are exclusively red, and pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela only saw through it. The grape varieties used to produce this wine (Tannat, Cabernet franc, Cabernet sauvignon...) give powerful wines when the ageing is long enough and supple, fresh and fruity wines when the vatting period is shorter. Madiran is the perfect accompaniment to game, confits, duck breasts and cheeses.
Discover the Madiran vineyard, which offers a large number of unique wine tourism offers, just like the appellation. Don't miss the breathtaking view from the Boulevard des Pyrénées in Pau.
Take the D834 and make your first stop at Domaine des Maouries. Created in 1907, the Domaine des Maouries brings together more than 3 generations of winegrowers on a 28-hectare vineyard. Today Philippe, Isabelle, Pascal and Claire Dufau manage the estate. The 4 share the tasks according to the different work to be carried out on the estate and the skills of each one.
The vineyard extends over very stony hillsides facing south, which generously benefit the four appellations of the Domaine, but especially the Madiran appellation. This exceptional situation offers pure, gourmet and surprising wines. The Madiran Wines are harvested by hand at Domaine des Maouries.
The Domaine des Maouries offers you 3 ranges of Madiran: Les Orchys de Pyren, Cailloux de Pyren, and Coeur de Pyren. You will have the opportunity to taste these wines during a guided tour of their vineyard. This visit will take you to the heart of the vineyards.
Let's go slightly further south, to the Domaine du Château de Viella. Since 1952, this estate has been the property of the Bortolussi family. Today, Alain Bortolussi, representing the third generation, is at the head of the estate. His two daughters, Claire and Marion, help him to be the fourth generation of winemakers at Château de Viella. Together they cultivate the 25 hectares of classified vines Madiran and Pacherenc du Vic Bilh.
The Domaine produces wines that are both concentrated and fine, with a wonderful touch on the palate, in a total respect of the fruit. Château de Viella dominates its vineyard, long abandoned in a state of ruin, it has been rebuilt and now houses a barrel cellar in its vaulted cellars.
The Bortolussi family invites you to visit the Domaine in a warm, friendly and joyful atmosphere, followed by a tasting of their wines. Come and discover the world of wine explained with simplicity!
Heading towards the Châteaux Montus and Bouscassé, taken over in 1979 by Alain Brumont from the family estate where he grew up. Over the years, the estate has expanded and today it represents more than 120 hectares. Château Montus et Bouscassé is a mythical place, which creates exceptional wines, counted among the most beautiful wineries in the world. These exceptional wines are made thanks to their precious terroir, slopes with coarse pebbles on fine clayey soil, all conducive to the creation of very great wines for laying down.
Alain Brumont is the first to have elaborated a Madiran 100% Tanat. His visionary style has earned him a place among the icons of the Top 10 in the world today. Alain is the first winemaker from the Southwest to reach the level of the greatest wines in the world.
Come to meet him and discover the fabulous Château Montus, (classified as a Historic Monument since 1988), its Cathedral of Tannat, and its magnificent wine storehouses. Dive into the origin of Alain Brumont's wines, and let yourself be guided through a commented tasting of a selection of the estate's vintages.
Barrejat Castle is the last stop on the Madiran Wine Route. In the commune of Maumusson, the vineyard extends over 40 hectares. This family estate, which has been handed down for four generations, is now run by Denis Capmartin. The numerous vines which are around 80 years old are the strength of the estate combined with the great passion for the vine which unites the family. At Château Barrejat, a powerful red Madiran with intense colour and aromatic nuances is offered. It is a wine to be kept. It is made from two grape varieties, Tannat and Cabernet.
Denis Capmartin welcomes you to Château Barrejat and invites you to discover his estate and taste his wines. If by chance you visit Château Barrejat during the month of August, you may be lucky enough to see them participate in the great Madiran festival. Animations, games and tastings are organized. You can even attend the parade of the brotherhood in costume. That's how you show a beautiful spirit of the South West!
