Les Grandes Costes, Pic Saint-Loup
Les Grandes Costes is above all a beautiful family story in Pic Saint-Loup. In 1992, when grandfather Joseph Granier retired at the age of 88, farming was suspended. But in 1999, his grandson Jean-Christophe Granier made a radical change of life by descending from the capital. To take over the estate and write a new page there in Pic Saint Loup. It’s a real return to basics, and what a return!
From the specificity of the terroir of Vacquières, which is based on an unavoidable originality, to the work of Jean-Christophe Granier in respect of the soil and the environment, the domain Les Grandes Costes is a small discreet jewel of the appellation Pic Saint Loup to discover urgently.
Vacquières, a distinctive terroir in the Pic Saint-Loup region
What makes Vacquières unique is its undeniable distinctiveness. Today, it is the one and only commune (out of 168) in the Coteaux du Languedoc that does not form part of any of the twelve terroirs into which the appellation is divided. It lies at the crossroads of the Terres de Sommières, the Grès de Montpellier and the Pic Saint Loup. Vacquières possesses an unclassifiable terroir that still baffles the experts at the INAO (Institut National des Appellations d’Origine). However, its geography, soils, climate, flora, grape varieties, and viticultural and winemaking practices bring Vacquières closer to the Pic Saint Loup area. The village is nestled within this area, bordered to the north by Corconne, to the west by Claret and Sauteyrargues, and to the south by Fontanès. Furthermore, it lies just over fifteen kilometres from the ‘Pic’. Today, the INAO is considering the integration of the Vacquières terroir of the Grandes Costes into the Pic Saint Loup region.
Respect for the land and the environment
The Domaine Les Grandes Costes (Pic Saint Loup) currently covers 15.5 hectares. The vines, ranging in age from 4 to 45 years, are planted with four typically Mediterranean red grape varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan. Pest and disease control is carried out in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture, with a view to better respecting the soil and the environment. All the vines are debudded, suckered, leaf-thinned and green-harvested where necessary. This ensures healthy grapes of excellent ripeness, guaranteeing the wine’s quality, as well as its aromatic profile and balance. Overall, yields vary between 22 and 33 hectolitres per hectare, depending on the plot.
The estate’s vintages
- Pic Saint Loup: La Sarabande
- Pic Saint Loup La Ruche
- Pic Saint Loup Les Grandes Costes
A few photos of Les Grandes Costes estate in Pic Saint-Loup
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health; please drink in moderation.
In accordance with the Public Health Code, wines, sweet wines and beers have an alcohol content of between 3% and 18%