The meeting of two passionate individuals
Neighboring villages and shared passions
The story ofMas des AgrunellesIt begins with the meeting of two wine enthusiasts:Stéphanie PonsonComing from a wine-growing background, she owned her first plots of land inPerry's Farm, a family estate since 1773 which she inherited in 2004.Frédéric Porro, self-taught, already owned a few plots of land in the neighboring village, atArgelliersThey met in 1999 while studying wine and oenology in Montpellier. They trained with experienced winemakers in thebiodynamic farming, asDidier BarralAndOlivier JullienThese encounters inspired them to unite and create a project together. Their shared love for a complex land, their common passion, and principles aligned with the ecosystem—it was from this moment that the project was born.Mas des AgrunellesTheir core values are respect for the land and the vines, so they quickly embraced the...organic farmingand inbiodynamicsThese environmentally friendly farming and winemaking methods limit interventions and oenological products. This allows for the production of authentic, expressive, and subtle wines.
A unique terroir
A particularly cool area for Languedoc
The estate is located northwest ofMontpellier, on theTerraces of the LarzacThe terroir is not the simplest; it experiences significant temperature variations between day and night and has a unique meteorological pattern. This terroir receives between 350 and 140 hours of sunshine above 10°C according to the Winkler scale, whereas the region generally enjoys much longer periods of sunshine and milder temperatures. Historically, this land was used for sheep grazing and charcoal production. This rather austere climate does not allow for high vine yields. Despite these constraints, the winemakers manage to produce beautiful grapes that yield wines full of potential.Mas des Agrunellesextends over 25 hectares of vineyards inorganic farming(certified AB) since 2003 and inbiodynamicssince 2010 (Ecocert certified).
StephanieAndFrédéricThey found a real challenge in this complex terroir, which they successfully met. This climatic context, combined with fractured limestone and careful, non-interventionist viticulture, allows for a beautiful result: the wines are elegant, deep, and balanced.
Biodynamic viticulture and winemaking
An authentic result!
THEMas des Agrunellesis certified inorganic farmingAndbiodynamicsThis means that viticulture is about maintaining the balance of flora and fauna. The soil is worked meticulously, forcing the roots to reach deep into the earth for the essential elements they need to grow. Meanwhile, the natural yeasts absorb nutrients from their environment year-round. This rigorous work in the soil is evident in the wines when tasted; they possess a distinctive character. They favor plot-by-plot vinification, vinifying each harvest separately to allow the terroir to fully express itself. Thus, each terroir is the subject of a unique cuvée. In the cellar, their philosophy is the same: they use very little technology to minimize intervention and preserve a strong identity. They do not use any oenological methods or products that would compromise the authenticity of their wines. At the beginning of their acquisition, they produced only two cuvées, including the renowned Cariño, an excellent 100% Carignan red. Through perseverance, patience, and determination, around ten different wines are now produced at the estate. Our two passionate winemakers produce additional micro-cuvées each year for experimental purposes, in order to refine their expertise. The climate and geographical location of their land allow for the creation of balanced and unique wines for the region. A true favorite with our team, the terroir expresses itself magnificently in the wines of...Mas des Agrunelles.
