Situation
The Château de Lascaux vineyard extends over an immense garrigue forest populated with oak, Aleppo pine, laurel, thyme and rosemary, in Languedoc between Montpellier and Nîmes, under the first foothills of the Cévennes.
Sheltered from cold winds, mistral and tramontana, and already at an altitude of 150 metres, the vineyard has the advantage of a Mediterranean climate with a continental influence. This cool Mediterranean micro-climate explains the finesse and diversity of the tastes in our wines.
Limestone cliffs where the sun plays games with the colours, where light and dark stream out together, where mistral and tramontana know where to unite, where clemency and rigour follow each other.
The last rampart just before the Cévennes, frustrating the cold intruders from the north.
Contrasts of reason, capable of engendering anything, occasional doubts but passion above all.
Situated between Mediterranean and Cévennes, the name PIC SAINT LOUP "Coteaux du Languedoc" is the most northerly of the Controlled Appellations in Languedoc. It is subject to both Mediterranean and continental influences. At the end of the summer, when the grapes are ripening, the difference between diurnal and nocturnal temperatures is very significant and contributes to the creation of very fine wines.
The principal terroirs in the Vineyard
The terroirs of Château de Lascaux are situated in a part of Languedoc that benefits from a cool Mediterranean climate, significant rainfall (900 mm/year), temperature contrasts and clearly-defined seasons. Thermal amplitudes between day and night are large. The relief within the garrigue attenuates the influence of the mistral and southerly winds.
Three terroirs, with different viticultural characteristics, enable the varieties chosen by Château de Lascaux to give full expression to their qualities.
The Costes and Patus zones are close to Vacquières, on terrains from the Lower Cretaceous period. These are marls (a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate) and limestone of marine origin, inclined towards the west. Covered by a garrigue of evergreen oak and Aleppo pine, the largest limestone masses form the slopes, whereas the vines are planted on the argilo-calcareous soils between the slopes.
The Tourtourel terroir, further away from Vacquières, is situated to the north of a large expanse of vines which benefit from the special qualities of “Corconne gravel”, an accumulation of limestone fragments caused by water freezing in the fissures and splitting the rock. The same torrential waters spread the gravel in vast alluvial cones during one of the last cold periods of the Quaternary.
To see a cross-section of these terroirs, click HERE.
“The team at work”
Jean-Benoît Cavalier | Winemaker and Proprietor
After qualifying as an Agricultural Engineer in 1984, Jean-Benoît took charge of the destiny of the vineyard, which had at that time been in the hands of the Cavalier family for thirteen generations.
In 1990, after radically reorganising the property and modernising the cellars, he re-launched the business and created Château de Lascaux.
Strongly involved in the renewal and development of the appellation concept in Languedoc, he believes winemakers should work in collaboration. The emphasis of his work over more than twenty years has been the harmonious integration of viticulture into its environment in order to reveal its quality and originality.
Jean-Benoît is a man of character. The joy of his whole life has been human contact. So, if you come to visit, don’t be surprised if he asks you follow him through the property !
For any general inquiries about the vineyard, you can contact Jean-Benoît at jb.cavalier@chateau-lascaux.com
Isabelle Cavalier | Management and accounts
“Good wine keeps the doctor away”. This is true in all senses at Château de Lascaux.
Isabelle is the daughter of a winemaker. After studying medicine, she helped Jean-Benoît to restart the business. She now looks after administration and accounting and acts as the link between the various components of the business – viticulture, vinification and marketing.
Frédéric Pibarot | Sales Manager
Frédéric Pibarot, who has Franco-German nationality, looks after clients and represents the vineyard mainly in the export markets.
After completing his studies at the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Dijon (Masters in International Trade in Wines and Spirits), he commenced his career with a Chablis merchant.
A native of Montpellier, he has come back to his roots while working for a business that suits him completely. “The authentic approach of Lascaux wines is perfectly in tune with my philosophy and my passion for wine”.
He is fully at your disposal to respond to your requirements and expectations in terms of product sales and follow-up.
Contact : f.pibarot@chateau-lascaux.com
