AOC Languedoc-Roussillon, AOC Côtes du Rhône,
AOC Provence, Vins de Pays, Customized wines

CHÂTEAU D'EXINDRE

Le Château d'Exindre is located above the Mediterranean town of Villeneuve les Maguelone, 10 kilometres from and southeast of Montpellier. The estate covers 400 ha, showing a diversity of landscapes : garrigue (wild scrubland), woods and farm land mainly planted with vines. It is bordered by the Estagnol bird sanctuary. The winery buildings are situated in the same place. The 16th and 17th Century château, the Prior of La Magdelaine's residence, stands amidst the farm buildings, which form a closed courtyard. Near the bird sanctuary, there are lodgings offering accommodation for guests.

The history of grape growing here started with the Romans in the first and second century. The Carolingian Emperors and French kings were the owners in charge of "la villa d'Exindrio". On the 9th february 1155, King Louis VII gave the property to the Bishop of Maguelone. A terracotta bowl for baptisms with the inscription "Amelius" was found in the chapel. This receptacle for holv water is now exhibited in Monpellier's history museum. During the French Revolution, "Domaine de la Magdelaine" was sold. Claude Despous, father of Anne Despous, married Sicard and acquired the property on "le 11 messidor de l'an VII" (30 june 1799). Today Catherine Sicard - Géroudet is the 7th generation to run the Domaine.

Vineyards : 42 hectares in total (=105 acres)
- 19,5 hectares Aoc Coteaux du Languedoc
- 2,5 hectares Aoc Muscat de Mireval
- 20 hectares of vin de pays

The whole vineyard has a southern exposure , facing the Mediterranean. Lying on the slopes of the Massif de la Gardiole, it has low rainfall.
The vineyard spans across 3 levels: cleared garrigue, a medium slope and on the plain.
The garrigue soils are made up of crushed blue Jurassic limestone mixed with red clay.
Sloping soils are clay-limestone with a red ocher colour. They are covered \vith gravel and crushed limestones from the end of the Tertiary Era.
On the plain, the ground is not as deep and there are less broken-up stones.
Part of the vineyard is planted with over 50 year old vines, which contribute to the quality of the wines.

GROWING METHODS

The vineyard is carefully looked after. The aim of our growing methods is to respect the environment as much as possible. They differ according to the location of each plot of land. The soil is ploughed mechanically. Severe pruning is sometimes followed by a green harvest, which thus ensures low yields for the AOC vineyard (25 hl/ha for the Muscat de Mireval, 35 to 40 hl/ha for the Coteaux du Languedoc).

Wines from La Magdelaine d'Exindre are sold under the naine "Château d'Exindre" for AOC Coteaux du Languedoc and A0C Muscat de Mireval and "Mas d'Exindre" or "Domaine de la Magdelaine" for Vins de Pays des Collines de la Moure.
In the Coteaux du Languedoc range, the "Cuvée Amelius" premium wine is barrel-aged to develop the noble character of a low yielding Syrah.
"Cuvee Magdalia", aged in vats, reveals the fruit from a 50 year old Carignan vine. Grenache and Syrah complete both cuvées.
The Muscat de Mireval V.DN is made from very ripe grapes by light fortification process. It produces an original, powerful and complex wine.
We offer three Vins de Pays wines: "Mas d'Exindre" White, Rosé and Red.