A Taste Of Freedom

At the heart of Languedoc, Domaine Gayda produces organic, unrestricted wines that give respect to its terroir

- Franz Sorilla IV

Nourished by the Mediterranean sun, the Languedoc region in the southernmost part of France produces some of the finest wines in the world. Blessed with ideal climate conditions for growing grapes as well as the Tramontane wind that is beneficial for the health of the vines, its soil varies greatly depending on location, which gives each winery distinct characteristics.

In the foothills of the Pyrénées, in the village of Brugairolles, lies the centuries-old estate of Domaine Gayda. It uses the elements of the region as well as hedge planting and wilding (growing other plants and trees in its unused lands) to bring back a balanced ecosystem essential for sustainable production. Meanwhile, natural compost from bovine waste enriches the soils. With the richness of the region’s terroir—not to mention the utmost care to preserve the structure of the soils and quality of the vines—the famed winery’s products exemplify the best of winemaking with minimal intervention in the vinification process.

“We are a small, passionate team focused on quality, achieving goals that we set high enough to challenge us in all we do,” said winemaker Vincent Chansault. The trio of Chansault and co-owners Trim Ford and Anthony Record acquired the estate in 2004 and since then have created wines steeped in tradition and technology. The winery continues to employ new techniques such as the use of egg fermenters and oak foudres (large wooden vats), as well as the latest available technology for blending. “We develop, innovate, and move forward with our curious minds to create our distinctive range of quality wines,” he added.