Les Domaines Barsalou

(96 ratings)

“Lovers of the earth!”

Throughout the vineyard we cultivate, the local geological diversity offers us a wide variety of soils. Our hillsides have been carved from limestone, marl and slate from the Jura...

Lire plus Learn more

(11) Aude

Throughout the vineyard we cultivate, the local geological diversity offers us a wide variety of soils. Our hillsides have been carved from Jurassic limestone, marl and slate. In the plain, the vines have their roots in the ferruginous sandstones of the Cretaceous period and the alluvial deposits of the tertiary and quaternary eras. Soils are living elements of our terroirs. For fertilization, we only use organic fertilizers. In addition, the pruned wood is shredded and buried in the ground in winter. A good organic matter content in the soil enhances its ability to absorb water and return it to the roots, which is very important in a Mediterranean climate. It also helps to maintain soil organisms that contribute to aeration and soil balance, which is essential to ensure soil fertility. In our operation, soil biodiversity is preserved through the limited use of copper in treatments (less than 2 kg / ha per year). Due to the dry climate, we cannot systematically grass our plots, but only a quarter of the surface area of the farm is irrigated. On a large part of the vineyard, the grapes are harvested by machine but the grapes from the most difficult to access plots and old vines are always picked by hand.

Our story

Since the end of the 19th century, more than five generations have succeeded each other in the family business. Currently, my son represents the sixth generation working on the property. Throughout the last century, the farm has grown considerably thanks to the acquisition of new plots. Eric, my older brother, settled in 1979 and I started to take care of winemaking in 1981, driven by the desire to continue my parents' work. Tools and methods have been modernized in order to engage in an ever more qualitative approach. It was also necessary to train and acquire new skills, among other things, to promote our wines abroad and develop exports.

Other little stories

The fact that I have been in contact with many lovers of the earth since I was a child has given me the desire to work in this profession close to nature. For me, being a winegrower means producing a healthy product (if consumed in moderation, of course) and guaranteeing the transmission of quality terroirs to future generations with preserved biotopes. I would say that the wine that most resembles me is my grenache gris. This pale, almost white rosé blends notes of wild berries and honey with balance and freshness. It is a traditional grape variety of the region, which has long been wrongly discredited. Today, it is being rediscovered and is able to accompany a wide variety of culinary styles, including the most innovative ones. Our range of wines is quite wide and representative of the know-how of the particular cellars of the region. For local wines, we seek above all to enhance the organoleptic characteristics that the grape varieties planted on our Mediterranean terroirs develop. Our PDO blends are rather worked in such a way as to affirm their origin, i.e., from wine-growing estates with distinct identities with the family's signature in common. Most of our products are simple and affordable. They are adapted to the tastes and means of a majority of wine lovers and offer a good quality/price ratio.

Our range of wines is quite wide and representative of the know-how of the particular cellars of the region. For local wines, we seek above all to enhance the organoleptic characteristics that the grape varieties planted on our Mediterranean terroirs develop. Our PDO blends are rather worked in such a way as to affirm their origin, i.e., from wine-growing estates with distinct identities with the family's signature in common. Most of our products are simple and affordable. They are adapted to the tastes and means of a majority of wine lovers and offer a good quality/price ratio.