La Croix Gratiot
for the love of the Piquepoul
Welcome to the Picpoul de Pinet appellation whose territory begins in the south, on the banks of the Thau lagoon and goes inland to the north, in Montagnac where the Domaine de la Croix Gratiot is located, only 10 minutes from the Domaine Tarbouriech.
We have chosen to tell you about Anaïs and Yves Ricome, daughter and father because we find in their story similarities with our family history.
It is a question of transmission, filial love, trust and audacity.
Anaïs was only 22 years old when she joined the family adventure of the Croix Gratiot run by her father and uncle. The An estate which, until then, had been growing the grapes of the appellation to supply them to the cooperative, began to vinify in 2004, a transformation of the activity essential to its survival. If the two men have solid experience in the management of the vines, they are counting on the young woman to lead the vinification. With a degree in viticulture, Anaïs refined her curriculum with a DU in Sensory Analysis and a formative trip to New Zealand before joining La Croix Gratiot in 2006.
The The estate has 60 hectares of vines and the work seems titanic. The first times were difficult, the uncle left the Domaine due to lack of resources. Very quickly, Anaïs decided to part with half of the vineyard to concentrate on 30 hectares.
Fifteen years later
La Croix Gratiot produces eleven cuvées (5 whites, 1 rosé, 3 reds, 1 sparkling and 1 sweet), the Piquepoul is the majority with 15 hectares.
If Yves Ricome has total confidence in his daughter, the man winces a little when Anaïs expresses the desire to run the estate in Biodynamics. Go to start with eight rows. Anaïs imposes her vision row after row and started the conversation in organic in 2011.
Atthe same time, it equips the cellar with concrete vats and jars. The whites aged on clay-limestone soil reveal the identity of the Piquepoule, freshness, tension, smoothness. The Cuvée Brechallune, whose grapes are made from a 100% Piquepoule plot selection, aged for five months in sandstone jars and concrete vats, is particularly noteworthy. A lively, thirst-quenching wine with citrus notes that can be kept for several years, enhanced, it becomes mineral andreveals a round and long lamb’s lettuce.
At Tarbouriech, our heart swayed for the Zazous blanc, a subtle blend of Piquepoul Blanc and Roussanne, floral, fleshy and slightly oaky due to aging in barrels for six months. A simplicity, a freshness that goes particularly well with our oysters. We asked Anaïs and Yves to dedicate some of their bottles to us under the name ‘Cuvée de La Lagune’.
La Croix Gratiot welcomes guests in its tasting cellar located 15 minutes from Domaine Tarbouriech and St Barth
Monday to Friday:
From 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday: by appointment
Duringthe summer (July 3 to August 26, 2023):
Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 7 pm.
Saturday: 2 pm to 7 pm
Sunday: closed
