Laurent Vaillé, the celebrated founder of La Grange des Pères, established his 13-hectare estate in 1992 with his brother in Aniane, in the Hérault. There, he produced wines that stood alongside the greatest of Bordeaux and Burgundy. Nicknamed the “Mozart of wine,” he was known not just for the magic in his bottles, sought after by enthusiasts around the world, but also for his quiet mastery of his art. In the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac, near Daumas Gassac and Château Capion, on limestone soils at 250 meters altitude and among the garrigue, Vaillé transformed his land into one of the most revered domaines in the world. He passed away on April 30, 2021, at age 57, leaving behind a lasting legacy and wines that have become icons.

Since 1985, Olivier Jullien has worked tirelessly to explore new terroirs and elevate the Terrasses du Larzac. This passionate and articulate winemaker helped shape a viticulture that is intelligent, respectful, and deeply rooted in place. His approach, marked by honesty and love for the land, has earned global acclaim. Over the years, grape varieties and parcels have changed as Olivier uncovered new sites to express, but his vision has remained steady. The red wines are straight-backed, fresh, and chalky—often tight in their youth, but with unmistakable character and brilliance.

This is the estate everyone is talking about in the region. Advised early on by Laurent Vaillé, the Soulas brothers quickly made a name for themselves. Founded in 2016, their domaine practices low-intervention winemaking with a focus on preserving the integrity of the fruit and expressing the natural freshness of Mediterranean varieties. Their cuvées are clean, honest, and refreshingly drinkable. Though still young, the wines are already hard to find, appearing in the selections of discerning wine merchants and top restaurant wine lists.

Ludovic Engelvin, grandson of a winegrower, might have followed a different path had he not fallen in love with the vine. After completing his studies, he moved to Rioja and worked with Didier Dagueneau before returning to his native region near Nîmes to start his own domaine. Engelvin works exclusively by hand, avoids chemical inputs, and uses only minimal doses of sulfites at bottling. His approach is raw, thoughtful, and precise—his wines a clear reflection of this integrity.

Founded in the early 1990s near the village of Saint-Pargoire, between Béziers and Montpellier, Peyre Rose began as a personal project. Marlène Soria initially planted vines with the intention of making wine for herself, unaware of the acclaim that would follow. With roots in a family of winegrowers, she worked the land herself, planting Syrah and other local varieties. A turning point came in the early '90s when Robert Parker and La Revue du Vin de France took notice—awarding her a major prize in 1994. At Peyre Rose, patience is key: aging is long and restrained, allowing time to work its magic. The reds are full of energy, tension, and muscle—wines that marry delicate, fragrant aromas with powerful structure.At Marlène Soria, patience is the rule, with very long and little marked aging that let the time do its work. The reds, full of energy and tension and fullbodied need time to calm their ardor. They express a formidable paradox, between the fragrant and delicate aroma and the abundance of muscle.

Founded in 2018 in Jonquières, Domaine Maxime Renaudin represents the bold spirit of a new generation of passionate, free-thinking winemakers. On five organically farmed hectares, Maxime crafts red wines that are deep, sun-kissed, and elegant, with a strong sense of Languedoc identity. He claims the IGP Pays d’Hérault with pride—as a declaration of love for his terroir. His cuvées are structured, spicy, and built for aging, offering rare depth and personality.

Pierre farms five hectares (recently reduced to 1.5 to make space for white varietals) near Limoux, on soils of limestone and clay influenced by both Mediterranean and oceanic climates. A self-proclaimed “radical,” Pierre adheres to a strict natural philosophy: no sulfur, no additives, no heat, no refrigeration, no fining, no filtration—no exceptions. His only tools are indigenous yeasts and neutral vessels, including stainless steel and resin vats, the latter chosen for their subtle porosity. His ethos is simple: “100% grapes—c’est tout!”

Founded by Gregory Hecht and François Bannier, this independent trading house champions the finest terroirs of the South of France. Selecting the best grapes and plots from Languedoc, Roussillon, Provence, and beyond, they craft cuvées of character—combining fruit, freshness, and complexity—through parcel-based, organic or low-intervention practices.