THE VINEYARD
Valmagne Abbey, a unique vineyard
A thousand-year-old vineyard
Vineyard
The Abbaye de Valmagne vineyard dates back to 1139.
When the Cistercian monks were looking for a location to establish a new abbey, they based their decision on three criteria: access to water, absolute tranquillity and excellent terroir.
Their knowledge of the land had been proven in Burgundy: Chambolle-Musigny, Clos Vougeot, Romanée-Conti.
All are the result of the work and talent of the monks in the 12th century.
It was therefore with patience and knowledge that the place known as La Tourtourière, between the freshness of the sea and the calm of the Garrigues, would welcome the Abbey of Valmagne and its legendary vineyard.
Vine cultivation is one of the monks’ main activities, and they carefully select each plot, taking advantage of the diversity of terroirs offered by Valmagne.
The wine is developing, and the many luxury guests who visit recognise the Abbey’s wines as the finest in the region.
The revolution saw the monks flee and the new owner transformed the church into a wine cellar, installing the famous Russian oak casks that could hold up to 435 hectolitres.
The Abbey’s vineyard covers around 100 hectares and wine still plays a major role in the estate’s activities.
In 1838, our ancestor, the Count of Turenne, purchased the Abbey and continued the work of his predecessors, just as we continue his.
Today, the vineyard covers 35 hectares cultivated using organic farming methods, with biodynamic influences since 1999.
Thanks to the diversity of the terroirs surrounding the Abbey, we produce local wines, Languedoc wines and Languedoc Grés de Montpellier wines.
the land our legacy
Our Philosophy
Faithful to the work and knowledge of the monks, the Valmagne Abbey estate has been drawing its legitimacy from 900 years of history.
At the beginning of the 12th century, Robert of Molesme founded the Cistercian order.
He believes that the precedent, the Order of St. Benedict, is no longer properly respected and that the monks must concentrate on two activities: prayer and work.
From now on, monks will have to increase prayer time and work much more rigorously and conscientiously.
Thus, by working hard, the monks develop a great knowledge of geology and winemaking.
By observing, feeling and tasting the earth they are able to award the quality of a soil.
Many geologists today are unanimous about the monks’ knowledge in this field.
It is no coincidence that none of the great Burgundy climates have been called into question, per cm2, for more than 900 years.
Valmagne is one of these Cistercian vineyards.
By installing the Abbey at this precise location, the monks had detected the high quality of the soils, still planted in vines today.
This is how we inherit this magnificent vineyard thanks to the skills of the Cistercians.
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In order to preserve it as much as possible, organic farming has been practised there for over 20 years.
The work of the soil is light and we are constantly careful to respect the balances of nature.
The presence of many living organisms in our soils is a guarantee of success for us and the use of chemicals is absolutely forbidden for any treatment.
By conviction, the field is inspired by the practices of bio-dynamics and the implementation of these cultural methods seems obvious to us.
We also refine our research in the writings of the monks to apply their methods in geology and thus produce the purest fruit possible, for the pleasure of all.
