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The region of Pic St. Loup lies some 30 kilometers north of Montpellier in the Languedoc region of Southern France. It is so named as it lies between the L’Hortus Mountain and the rock wall of the Pic St. Loup. The land between these two dramatic rock-faces is blessed with a remarkable microclimate that is found in no other part of the Languedoc. The wine-growing region of the Pic St. Loup is comprised of 13 villages and its AOC status is still associated with the Coteaux du Languedoc. Jean Orliac of the Domaine de l’Hortus is leading the fight to attain full AOC status.
One of the legends of the South of France, Jean Orliac came to this area as a young agronomist at the University of Montpellier (he was a rock climber and the area is still prized by enthusiasts.) His discovery of this old valley with old scrub vines and olive trees inspired him to move to the region and start what became the Domaine de l’Hortus. Over the years, he obtained over 50 hectares in several parcels along the zone. His children and wife have a very large hand in the winery.
Pic St. Loup enjoys one of the most individual microclimates in France. As a deep valley between two protective walls of rock, these wines tend to be more elegant and high-noted than many of the other wines of the region. On the South-facing slopes of the valley, Grenache thrives, while Mourvedre and Syrah flourish on the cooler Northfacing slopes on the other hillsides. The soil is quite varied, with high levels of hard and soft chalk, gravel, and some sandy plains.
All of the wines come from de-stemmed fruit at the property. For the whites, there is heavy battonage as they rest on their fine lies. The reds undergo a 15-25 day maceration. Some of the wines are aged in tank and released quite early, while the “Grand Cuvees” at the property pass into oak, with some portion of that being new wood. As the wines are almost all blended, all of the varietals are vinified separately before the final assemblage.
Jean Orliac is considered the “father” of the Pic St. Loup. As one of the original founders of the wine-growing region, Jean has fought for lower yields in the zone and pressed for full AOC status based on the particular microclimate in the area that is so unique to the tiny corner of the Languedoc. He has also been quite instrumental in helping other growers understand the varietals that thrive in the area, most importantly, Mourvedre. This estate continues to be a quality leader and the benchmark property of this beautiful area!
Bergerie Rouge
VARIETALS: 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
VINIFICATION: 25 day fermentation and some maceration
ELEVAGE: Aged in stainless steel for 10 months before release
NOTES: Produced from vineyards at 600 feet of altitude.
45 hl/ha yields
One of the legends of the South of France, Jean Orliac came to this area as a young agronomist at the University of Montpellier (he was a rock climber and the area is still prized by enthusiasts.) His discovery of this old valley with old scrub vines and olive trees inspired him to move to the region and start what became the Domaine de l’Hortus. Over the years, he obtained over 50 hectares in several parcels along the zone. His children and wife have a very large hand in the winery.
Pic St. Loup enjoys one of the most individual microclimates in France. As a deep valley between two protective walls of rock, these wines tend to be more elegant and high-noted than many of the other wines of the region. On the South-facing slopes of the valley, Grenache thrives, while Mourvedre and Syrah flourish on the cooler Northfacing slopes on the other hillsides. The soil is quite varied, with high levels of hard and soft chalk, gravel, and some sandy plains.
All of the wines come from de-stemmed fruit at the property. For the whites, there is heavy battonage as they rest on their fine lies. The reds undergo a 15-25 day maceration. Some of the wines are aged in tank and released quite early, while the “Grand Cuvees” at the property pass into oak, with some portion of that being new wood. As the wines are almost all blended, all of the varietals are vinified separately before the final assemblage.
Jean Orliac is considered the “father” of the Pic St. Loup. As one of the original founders of the wine-growing region, Jean has fought for lower yields in the zone and pressed for full AOC status based on the particular microclimate in the area that is so unique to the tiny corner of the Languedoc. He has also been quite instrumental in helping other growers understand the varietals that thrive in the area, most importantly, Mourvedre. This estate continues to be a quality leader and the benchmark property of this beautiful area!
Bergerie Rouge
VARIETALS: 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre
VINIFICATION: 25 day fermentation and some maceration
ELEVAGE: Aged in stainless steel for 10 months before release
NOTES: Produced from vineyards at 600 feet of altitude.
45 hl/ha yields