Domaine Preignes le Vieux - Robert Vic

The history of Domaine Preignes le Vieux

The Domaine Preignes le Vieux is established on a Roman villa dating from the year 804. The wine activity was already well established in the region, as evidenced by the many remains of amphorae exhumed on the site.

The geographical location of the place is ideal for vineyards, but also strategic for trade at the time. Close to the Mediterranean Sea, it also benefited from the proximity of the Via Domitia, the important paved road built by the Romans to connect the Rhone to the Pyrenees.

After the Roman villa, it was the turn of the castle of Preignes le Vieux to be built in 1202. This imposing fortress with its majestic lava stone towers was built by the Viscount of Pézenas. The castle entered the Vic family in 1905. It has remained so ever since and here are 5 generations of Vic's who run the Domaine Preignes le Vieux, with today Jérôme Vic at its head.

The vineyard of Domaine Preignes le Vieux

The vineyard of Domaine Preignes le Vieux stretches across the sunny Languedoc region between Agde and Béziers. The 270 hectares of vines cover three distinct terroirs: the gravelly soil, the land composed of volcanic ash and basalt, and the so-called "plain" terroir.

The plots are dotted with scrubland species that allow the local fauna to flourish, while giving the grapes an exceptional aromatic palette: black pepper and pine resin cistus for the Yyrah, cinnamon and juniper balls for the Mourvèdre, or black olives and bay leaves for the Grenache. The vines also benefit from the sea wind which brings a welcome salinity and drives out parasites.

The vineyard is composed of 18 different types of grapes. The vines for the white are: Viognier, Chardonnay, Muscat l'Alexandrie, Vermentino, Colombard, Sauvignon and the Soreli. This last one is also the most recent. It is a variety resistant to mildew and powdery mildew.

The grape varieties for the red are: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache, Alicante, Merlot, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Marselan, Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot.

The wines of Domaine Preignes le Vieux

Domaine Preignes le Vieux wines can be made from a single grape variety or a blend.

Coteaux de Bézier - red
Domaine Preignes le Vieux red Coteaux de Bézier is a wine belonging to the IGP d'Oc. It is made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Merlot. The wine is fruity and subtly tannic. It has a beautiful deep red color. It is distinguished by a very original and varied aromatic palette, composed of black olives, laurel, curry and saffron. The mouth is fresh, smooth and always balanced. It develops delicious aromas of raspberries and spices that last throughout the finish.