Grange des Peres, Laurent Vaille

Founded in the early 1990s, Laurent Vaille is the renowned winemaker behind Grange des Pères, a highly acclaimed winery in southern France's Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Vaille's winemaking philosophy centres around producing wines of great finesse and complexity that reflect the unique characteristics of the Languedoc-Roussillon terroir. He is deeply committed to crafting wines with a sense of place, focusing on expressing the distinct qualities of the vineyards where his grapes are grown.

Grange des Pères practices sustainable viticulture with a strong emphasis on organic and biodynamic principles. He believes in nurturing healthy vineyards by promoting biodiversity and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. The vineyards are meticulously tended, and the grapes are carefully hand-harvested to ensure optimal quality.

In the cellar, Vaille adopts a meticulous and detail-oriented approach. The grapes are treated with great respect, and the winemaking process is gentle and non-interventionist. Vaille employs traditional winemaking techniques combined with modern precision to create elegant and expressive wines.

The flagship wine of Grange des Pères is a red blend that typically consists of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Counoise. These carefully selected varietals are vinified separately and blended to create a harmonious and balanced wine. The result is a wine of remarkable depth and complexity, often praised for its rich fruit flavours, refined tannins, and excellent ageing potential.

IGP Pays d'Hérault

IGP Pays d’Hérault is a geographical indication encompassing vineyards within the Hérault department in France’s Languedoc-Roussillon region. Bordered by the Aude, Tarn, Aveyron, and Gard departments and the Mediterranean Sea to the south, it benefits from a Mediterranean climate ideal for diverse grape varieties.

The region gained international recognition thanks to Mas de Daumas Gassac, located north of Montpellier. Its founder, Aimé Guibert, planted a unique mix of vines on volcanic soil, which oenologist Emile Peynaud identified as being capable of producing Cru-standard wines.

While exceptional terroirs like this are rare in Hérault, improvements in winemaking and the use of international grape varieties have elevated the region’s reputation. Dominant red grapes include Syrah, Cabernet. Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache are the dominant red wine grapes, while Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Marsanne and Viogner are the main white varietals.

Other Varieties

There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.