Domaine Massamier La Mignarde

Massamier La Mignarde can trace its history back to Roman times when a legionary called Maximus accepted a villa on this land to which he gave the name Maximiana. The estate as well as having the impressive Roman villa also has large manicured gardens, which make the domaine somewhat atypical of the region. Frantz Venes' family has owned the estate for 300 years, but due to a family feud neither Frantz nor his parents set foot on the property for two decades. A long court case restored the Venes to their family home and led to the renewal of vineyards planted by Frantz and his father.

Franz Venes is a studious self-effacing man, with a winemaking education that has taken him to California and Australia. He is fanatically quality-driven and gives the same attention to detail to all of his wines across the spectrum. His most well known cuvee is Domus Maximus, which is a blend of Syrah and Grenache and is widely recognised as one of the finest wines in the Minervois.