Behind the label “Domaine Raissac”, you will find a harmonious and lively Languedoc vineyard with a mosaic of soils cultivated since Roman times. Each vineyard boasts vines specific to their own soil and micro climate. This diversity of land creates “cuvees” with strong personalities as well as varietal and subtley blended wines. Gustave Viennet, the sixth generation of the family’s winegrowers, has been responsible for the last decade of the development of Château de Raissac wines. He has succeeded in creating an interesting range of wines, thanks to his skills in the wine making process and his ability to explore the potential offered with the appellation IGP Pays d’Oc and AOP Languedoc. The wines are aged in a unique 17th century cellar carved into chalky rocks. The cellar has been modernized and keeps a constant and ideal temperature and constant hygrometry. Very much concerned by the ecological aspects of wine growing, Gustave and his staff have decided to follow the rules of sustainable agricultural techniques (High Environmental Value certification – 3rd level). The result: elegant and balanced ''cuvees'' expressing the best of “Terrasse de Beziers” soils. Appreciated in many countries, this range of wines is in perfect harmony with Mediterranean flavors. The Château de Raissac vineyard is composed of a great variety of 50 hectares of ''terroir'' between the soft-leaved scrubland of limestone soils and the Mediterranean Sea. It is located near Béziers. THE TERROIRS GRAVEL AND CLAY FROM THE VILLAFRANCHIEN Quaternary soil with small silica quartz gravel and siliceous rocks from the Massif Central mixed with sand and red clay. Located at 80 meters altitude, surrounded by ''garrigue'' ; soft-leaved scrubland on limestone soils and pine forests, this naturally drained soil offers the best conditions to grow excellent Syrah and Grenache. CLAY-RICH CHALKY SLOPES COVERED WITH MARINE FOSSILS This soil of marine molasses from the middle of the Miocene (18.2 million years ago) is constituted of sandy and chalky marl and stoneware, richly incrusted with sea mollusks “Ostrea Crassissima” (giant oysters). It brings power, character and intensity to the wine. ''SOUBERGUES'' COVERED WITH TERTIARY PEBBLES Terraces situated between plain and hills are covered with round river pebbles which store the sun’s heat in the day and spread the warmth in the soil at night keeping its moisture and temperature. This clayey-chalky soil gives harmony and a light elegance to the wine. ALLUVIAL PLAIN Land located by the river composed of fine sand and alluviums. These soils are deep and let water filter easily, favoring the vines rooting and the aroma and freshness of the wines. A REPECTFUL WAY OF CULTIVATING The approximately 20 year-old Raissac wines are thoughtfully and traditionally cultivated, marrying respect for nature and the desire to reach the highest grape quality. The domain has adopted pruning methods according to the single Guyot and the cord of Royat. The vines are trellised to favour sun, ventilation and reduce moisture or sanitary problems. The production is limited to an average of 55 hectoliters per hectare with a density of 4444 vines per hectare. The phytosanitary treatments are in this way reduced to a minimum and only used under threatening climactic situations. Being obligatory, the only insecticide used at Raissac, is the treatment against the leafhopper of “flavescence dorée”. In the same way, the soils are respected with limited weeding in order to preserve the soil balance and micro life. Four to five yearly ploughings are done mechanically with an “intercep” tool (allowing us to work in the rows without lateral movement of soil). The vineyard is looked after by a team of 4 permanent workers who live the passion of this land and its wines. The natural environment of the domain is well preserved: ''garrigue'' ; scrubland (thyme, cists, rosemary, lavender…), pine, oak, olive, fig trees, “azerolls”, almond trees and blackberries… The obligatory traceability was already established at Raissac in 1998, guaranteeing the quality of its products and a close follow up from the vine to the bottle.
