Terrasses du Larzac

Located northwest of Montpellier, the Terrasses du Larzac Vineyard is characterized by the cool air that descends from the Larzac plateau, with Mont Baudile—rising to over 850 meters—serving as a symbolic landmark. This unique geographical setting, with day-to-night temperature variations that can exceed 20 degrees in the summer, promotes a slow and gradual ripening of the grapes, which enhances the wines’ aromatic complexity and freshness. 

Terrasses du Larzac: Red Wines That Capture the Essence of the Terroir

Located in the Occitanie region, between the Causses and the Cévennes, the Larzac is an area spanning more than 1,000 km². Boasting a unique cultural heritage and exceptional biodiversity, it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. At the heart of this remarkable landscape lies the Causse du Larzac, a karst plateau between the departments of Aveyron and Hérault, 50 kilometers north of Montpellier. Nestled against its slope are the Terrasses du Larzac vineyards, which encompass more than 560 hectares of planted vines.

A climate unique to this Languedoc region

This crescent-shaped wine-growing region in Languedoc lies at an average elevation of 300 meters. Bordered by limestone cliffs, temperatures here are cooler than in the rest of the region. In the summer, the temperature difference between day and night can reach up to 14 °C. This unique climate allows the grapes to ripen very gradually, which is what gives Terrasses du Larzac red wine its aromatic complexity and freshness.

Les Terrasses du Larzac, a Protected Designation of Origin

Thanks to its exceptional terroir and the hard work of its winemakers, the wines of Terrasses du Larzac have held full Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status since 2014. The Terrasses du Larzac AOC covers more than thirty municipalities in northern Hérault, where nearly 90 independent winemakers and 5 cooperatives work every day to showcase their wine production. When harvest time arrives on the mountainous plateau, the grapes are picked at peak ripeness and processed using traditional winemaking methods. To be able to offer an organic Terrasses du Larzac AOC wine, the winemakers have chosen to adopt organic viticulture and winemaking practices, which are required to obtain the “Organic Agriculture” certification.

A blend of grape varieties to offer the best of the Languedoc

Terrasses du Larzac wine—exclusively red—is made from a blend of at least two grape varieties. Among the five main varieties that winemakers can select are Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, and Carignan. The latter, long disparaged and shunned, has reclaimed its Languedoc identity through sheer perseverance. Beyond the grape variety itself, winemakers are committed to allowing the unique characteristics of the soil—whether clay-limestone, composed of pebbles, or “ruffes” (an Occitan term for a red rock found in the Languedoc, composed of clay and iron oxide)—to shine through in each of their wines. To bring out the best of this terroir, the AOC red wine is aged for at least 12 months, after which it can reveal its aromas and unique character.

Les Terrasses du Larzac: The Flavor of Fine Wines

On the palate, the Terrasses du Larzac red wine displays a lovely, brilliant ruby color, tinged with intense hues verging on purple. It is a spicy wine that exudes aromas of the garrigue, with pronounced notes of thyme and bay leaf. Complex and well-balanced, it opens with great freshness. Powerful and often tannic, it is nonetheless light on the palate. Bottles of Terrasses du Larzac wine can be cellared for 3 to 5 years.