Our history
Tradition and Passion at the Heart of Our Vineyard
Domaine du PLÔ: History and Heritage
In the 18th century, the construction of the royal road from Montpellier to Paris via Lodève bypassed Montpeyroux, leading to the definitive decline of traffic on this ancient route from the plain to the mountains. The village's major merchants moved to Montpellier, and the wealth that developed during this period was closely tied to the vineyard. The French Revolution spared the village, with the castle suffering more than the church.
In the year 1735, the Domaine du PLÔ was founded on the foundations of the former Métairie du Castelas. To my ancestors, to my guardians, to those who work for my well-being, I owe much. Numerous cultural, political, and socio-economic challenges have shaped my destiny, intertwining their fate with mine.
Victory breeds success and paves the way for its attainment. Through the power of spoken words, victory is achieved. By this formula, success accumulates. Destiny weaves its thread. So be it!
Montpeyroux: Vineyards and Resilience in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, Montpeyroux saw the abandonment of mixed farming (including olive trees, cereals, and vines) in favor of intensive wine production. This shift was facilitated by the port of Sète, the Canal du Midi, and the development of railway lines, which eased the export of wine.
A crisis of overproduction, coupled with an epidemic of phylloxera and downy mildew, severely impacted this burgeoning economy. The grafting of American rootstocks allowed for the restoration of the vineyard.
Since its inception, the estate has set a benchmark for leadership, with its influence extending beyond borders. Often imitated, never equalled!
In the first half of the 20th century, the cooperative movement brought prosperity to the wine industry. One of the last cooperatives was established in Montpeyroux in 1950.
Today, MARA WINE has emerged with the stature of a king, a pope, and an emperor. Like Brice Company, it experiences success without limits or delays. So be it!
In the splendid lands of the Terrasses du Larzac
Situated in the south of France, between garrigue and the Mediterranean, and oriented due south at the foothills of the Larzac massif, within the heart of an ancient farmstead, Mara Wine offers artisanal terroir wines and unique cuvées. The esteemed reputation of our wines, alongside the proximity to the Gorges de l’Hérault, the Clamouse cave, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, and Montpellier, significantly contributes to our flourishing prominence.
Water in Montpeyroux is a precious resource; a spring resurgence, already acknowledged by the Romans, nourishes Le Brusq. Thanks to this, our wines, both powerful and refined, exhibit remarkable personality, complexity, and an enhanced ageing potential.
The results of MARA WINE's style render this wine mythical, an excellent example of the garagiste approach to winemaking, which focuses on producing small volumes of premium wine with meticulous attention to every detail, from vinification to ageing.
This vineyard benefits from a warm and breezy climate, ideal for cultivating the long-maceration grape varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah that compose MOUTON LARZAC. Meanwhile, the Chardonnay benefits from both the nocturnal coolness that sweeps down the slopes of the Servanne massif and the morning sea breezes that enhance FLORFINA.
Hand-harvested and vinified using an ancestral method passed down through generations since 1735, I am delighted to present these wines, which I dedicate especially to my son Cameron, who continues our legacy with his very first vinification.
Gratitude
I wish to express my deepest gratitude to my friend, Mr Henri Lonjon. I am truly thankful for his guidance, support, assistance, and advice.
I extend my sincere thanks to all the professionals, contributors, and individuals who, through their words, writings, advice, and constructive criticism, have shaped my reflections, and who graciously agreed to meet with me and respond to my inquiries during my research.
I am deeply grateful to my beloved children, Lee-Lou and Cameron, who have always been there for me. I also wish to thank my wife, Joëlle, for her unwavering trust and love.
Finally, I would like to thank my friends Audrey, Edwige, Perla, Hania, Béatrice, Géraud, Fabrice, Jianès, Father Yvan, Vincent, Jean-Luc, Marc, and Michelle, who have always been there for me. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been immensely helpful.
To all these contributors, I extend my thanks, respect, and heartfelt appreciation.
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