Abbaye de Valmagne

The History of Valmagne Abbey

The origins of the vineyard of the Abbey of Valmagne are rooted in the 12th century with its creation in 1139 by Cistercian monks. They had already worked in Burgundy (Chambolle-Musigny, Clos Vougeot, Romanée-Conti), and were looking for a land with a great terroir, absolute calm and good access to water. They found it in the place called La Tourtourière, between the freshness of the sea and the calm of the garrigues, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the monks made viticulture one of their main activities and developed their plots of land by taking advantage of the diversity of the soil. The wines of the Abbey quickly became known in the region thanks to the personalities and nobles who tasted and appreciated them.

In the 18th century, during the revolution, the monks were expelled and the church was transformed into a wine-making cellar. Russian oak tuns that can hold up to 435 hectoliters are installed.

Today, the vineyard of the Abbey of Valmagne covers 35 hectares of vines all conducted in organic farming, with biodynamic inspirations since 1999. The wines produced are AOC Languedoc, AOC Languedoc Grés-de-Montpellier or vin de pays.

The philosophy of the vineyard

Over 900 years old, the estate faithfully perpetuates the work of the Cistercian monks. The latter, focused exclusively on prayer and work, spent a large part of their day in the vineyards, which allowed them to accumulate knowledge in geology and wine-making. They thus pruned in a certain way the plots of land according to the soils that made them up and the sunshine that they enjoyed.

At Valmagne, as in the great climats of Burgundy which have never been questioned by oenologists, we feel this Cistercian heritage and philosophy.

To this have been added for 20 years the principles of organic farming. The balance of nature is always meticulously respected and the soil is worked as lightly as possible. Many living organisms are present in the soil, and the use of chemicals is strictly forbidden. Biodynamics is also a belief of the vineyard.

The writings left by the Cistercian monks are still studied as they provide important insights into the methods in geology that allow for the purest possible fruit.

The wines of the estate

The Vitrail sur l'Abbaye rouge offers a ruby color with garnet highlights as well as a nose with floral and red fruit aromas. In the mouth, it is generous with notes of red fruits. Its tannins are supple and they open the appetite.

The Cardinal de Bonzi stands out with its carmine red color. Its nose is complex and elegant, blending spices (ground coffee) and black fruits. On the palate, it offers a nice vivacity and a certain fullness, its finish is rather long.

The Portalis rouge displays a crimson red color and a nose marked by flavors of thyme, rosemary and garrigues. On the palate, it combines finesse and tone to form a beautiful balance, all enhanced by Languedoc aromas of garrigue and a freshness on the red fruit.