Read Aussières

Aussières was built on a fertile ecosystem where nature and people meet to learn from each other and create. Here, they say that it takes a village to make a wine.

Our village is a living place, where dialogue is the prevailing value. A multiple dialogue : Between the elements, between the generations that have worked its land, between its villagers and its craftsmen, and between the different currents of thought in the world of wine. Aussières brings everyone to the table, keeps the conversation going, ultimately leading to a sense of accomplishment.

The vineyard of Aussières extends over 167 hectares on the foothills of Fontfroide, south of Narbonne. The soil is very shallow and stony on the high slopes, and sandier and deeper on the plains. In some lots, blocks of pink sandstone outcrop and hinder mechanical work.

Two thirds of the vineyards are Corbières Appellation, and the remainder is Vin de Pays d’Oc. Each with its own grape varieties:  Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Carignan, and Cinsault in the former; Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot in the latter.

The vineyard of Aussières is managed in the tradition of the Corbières, with plantations of 4400 vines/hectare, with VSP training.

The first official records of Aussières date back to 97 AD. An important supplier of wine to Rome for many years, its vines were uprooted by decree of the Roman Emperor Domitius, who aimed to boost the success of his own Italian wines.

Aussières became the property of the Abbey of Fontfroide in 1065, once again functioning as a farm and vineyard. After the French Revolution, it was confiscated from the church and bought by Count Daru, manager of Napoleon Bonaparte’s private estate, who continued its lucrative wine production.

Until the 1950s, Aussières remained a wine-producing village with 180 inhabitants, a school, a bakery, a forge, and hundreds of hectares of vines in production.

In 1999, the abandoned estate was bought by Baron Eric de Rothschild, who decided to redefine it as a high-quality wine estate.

The remains of what was, until the 1950s, a bustling craft village were renovated by Baron Eric de Rothschild’s team. The challenge was to elevate the village to a place that could be functional and prosperous in the 21st century, while preserving its history and traditions. 

Today, the village of Aussières is home to many employees and seasonal workers, as well as the winery, administration, and machinery sheds. 

In the years to come, we would like to welcome back the craftsmen and bring the village back to life with a new wine tourism programme, cultural events, artists’ residencies, etc.

The wild hills and complex geological formations of the Cathar country, bathed in sunshine and fresh Mediterranean air, create a rich ecosystem of flora and fauna meticulously maintained by the Aussières team. 

Only one third of the 570 hectares of the estate is used for crops. The rest of the land is left covered by forest and scrubland in order to build up biodiversity for years to come.

The Corbières region is a micro region of the Languedoc, known for its strong character. More than a pretty postcard, it is a land full of life, contrasts, and layers. 

To discover it, hike through its rocky hills, along the carefully preserved ecosystem that borders the Mediterranean Sea. Jump from one Cathar castle to another, meet flocks of sheep. Wander through the lively covered market in Narbonne…

The Corbières fosters the art of slow cooking and slow-paced living. The region, with its distinct terroir, is home to a fresh and rustic cuisine, made up of flavours from the land, simple ingredients such as wild herbs, beans, oysters from Gruissan… 

The perfect microclimate of the Corbières, sometimes compared to California, limits the use of treatments, and has long set the course for sustainability. The locals take pride in protecting the region’s naturally preserved environment, especially the winegrowers, many of whom follow strict guidelines (AB organic farming, HVE – high environmental value – and others) to make the Corbières an eco-responsible wine destination.

It takes a village to make a wine 

The wines of Aussières are the product of millennia-old soils, secular winemaking traditions, and a commitment to a sustainable path, borrowing from ancient knowledge to prepare for the future.

For us, a healthy and natural ecosystem goes hand in hand with the quality of the wines and preserves the longevity of the vineyard.

“In a way, winemaking is like photography. It is the winemaker’s duty to capture beauty at the right moment. The terroir commands and the winemaker’s goal is to reveal the full potential of the berries.”