This is a new domain that only started to produce wine in 2007. It is the second domain to be run by the three Ravaille brothers, owners of L’Ermitage du Pic Saint Loup. Their reason for launching this new domain was to give them scope to produce a small number of Vin du Pays wines from varieties or blends that are non-traditional in Languedoc, and to experiment without compromising the wines of L’Ermitage.

 

To date they have only made two wines, a white made from 100% Chardonnay and a red that in 2008 was a blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The brothers decided from the start that the new domain would uphold their high viticultural and winemaking standards, and that the vineyards would be immediately put into a process of conversion to full biodynamics, though as with the L’Ermitage they are not currently interested in getting biodynamic certification for Petit Saint Aunès.

The soils of the domain are varied, ranging from limestone based clay soils and reasonable drainage, and stony limestone based soils through to ancient riverbeds which are part alluvial but free draining with many pebbles and stones.

Currently the vines are trained in Cordon de Royat, at typical densities of around 4000 vines per hectare. Pruning continues to be performed by hand, but the harvest to date has always been by machine, though this may change as the vineyards mature and become fully adapted to biodynamics.