Our Vineyard

Parc de lignieres owns a vineyard in the village within walking distance from the house. The vineyard covers about 2 acres and consists of 38 rows each of which is up to 100m long. The grapes are Grenache which are the principle ingredient of Rioja wines, and which are also found in many quality wines. Within the special Minervois appellation, La Livinerie, Borie du Morel make a limited quantity pure Grenache wine called Belle de Nuit from a vineyard not very far away from ours. Our vines are now maintained and looked after by Jean-Baptiste Senat one of the emerging vignerons of high distinction in the area. His wines have recently been recognised with 90+ ratings by famous wine critic Robert Parker of the USA. Jean-Baptiste, who calls our juice "grenache anglais" , will blend our grape juice with others from his vineyards and from 2012 onwards it will appear in his range of wines.

The vineyard can easily be walked to from the house and follows a footpath through the vineyards behind the church. The vineyard is an excellent place for a picnic because it has beautiful views of the village chapel, the windmill near Chateau Pulignan, and the Pyrenees. it is also really nice to wander through the vines and watch how they develop.

In September we are offering special "Vendage weeks". At some point in September, the exact date cannot be determined until nearer the time and depends on the weather conditions, the grapes are picked. The Parc de Lignieres Vendage Weekincludes 3 days of grape picking in the vineyards around Trausse Minervois working under guidance from Jean-Baptiste Senat and working alongside local villagers and students. The work is good fun but tiring and includes lunch each day in the vineyards. You will get a chance to practice your French and to experience life in rural France at this important moment in the vigneron's year. No special clothing or equipment is needed, just a sense of adventure!

For those who fall in love with the whole wine thing, then we are also offering you a chance to adopt a row of vines for a year. For €250, plus any delivery charges, you will get a case of 6 bottles of wine from the year you adopt the vines with your own label, plus tasting notes, and a regular quarterly update on what is happening in the vineyard. Contact us for more information on timrcook@gmail.com