If you are a wine-lover, a vacation in France is ideal and there are certainly lots of different famous wine regions and areas to choose from for lazy days of exploring lush landscapes, visiting little towns, discovering wineries, and sampling the local vintages. There is, of course, the likes of Champagne and Burgundy, which are impossibly well-known wine regions that are synonymous with famous wine varieties. And then there is the gorgeous Languedoc-Roussillon, which boasts 300,000 hectares of vineyards, making it actually the largest wine producing region in France and, though perhaps less well-known internationally, it is one of the most beloved wine regions in the country. Browse our villas in Languedoc-Roussillon now and come see it for yourself!
Located on the Mediterranean coast between Spain and Provence and stretching from the Pyrénées to the Cevennes National Park, this wine region is not only jam-packed with incredible wineries but it also boasts a varied and gorgeous landscape, pretty medieval towns with ancient monuments, and modern seaside resorts that compete with the Azure while doing so at lower prices. Those, therefore, who are interested in a French getaway filled with beauty, great wine, lots to see and do, and more competitive price points would do well to browse our range of lovely vacation rentals in Languedoc-Roussillon.
A more untouched and authentic side of the South of France, Languedoc-Roussillon has so much to offer the discerning traveller but, as we have noted, is truly the perfect vacation in France for those who love wine. There is a long list of remarkable wineries to choose from while on holiday in Languedoc-Roussillon but one that is a definite must is the exceptionally pretty and well-established Seigneurie de Peyrat.
Among the oldest and most respected vineyard châteaux that can be visited during a stay in a villa in Languedoc-Roussillon, the estate of Seigneurie de Peyrat has origins that go all the way back to the Romans but the unbelievably picturesque château dates to the 17th century. Known then as Montplaisir, it was the summer house of the Peyrat family and was then named after its former owners when it was sold to the Reboul family at the end of the century. Now known as Peyrat, the estate continued to change hands until 1910, when it was purchased by Gustave Fayet. The vineyard was restructured then in the 1980s by his grandson Luc Viennet and his wife Béatrice and has been run by Cécile Viennet and her husband Miguel Espada, the fifth generation, since 2010.
Spread over 170 hectares of land, the estate and her wines and her charming château are now all open to the public for tours and tastings. Cécile herself is often the one explaining the process of wine-making on wonderful lazy afternoons sampling the wines in this gorgeous setting and the tours of the castle that bring you through the remarkable property, the 17th century chapel and its frescoes, the stately gardens, and the wine-making facilities.
The vineyards themselves cover 250 acres around Pézenas, from the little village of Tourbes towards the village of Alignan-du-Vent. There are 13 different types of grape grown along with olives groves and a vegetable garden, embracing tradition and respecting the land, animals and Mediterranean climate. Chemical fertilisers are not used but, instead, organic compost is employed, and the wildlife is allowed to roam about the grounds with partridges, rabbits, bees, grasshoppers, wild boar, and deer all found among the vines at times. However, the wine-making process at Seigneurie de Peyrat is not just kind to its stunning surroundings but it is also masterfully managed to ensure the highest quality results. While the range of delicious and incredible wines, made with Cécile’s decades of experience and knowledge and the careful work of the entire estate, continues to change and grow the current offering includes two whites, two rosé wines, and four reds.
There are a few different options for those who plan a visit and want to taste said wines while enjoying a vacation rental in Languedoc-Roussillon. The first and one of the most popular, is the Pique-nique Chic experience, which involves tasting some of the wines and other local products in the dreamy setting of the castle’s courtyard. This is possible from 12pm to 4pm, from Monday to Friday (1st June to 30th September) and costs €22 per person (€9 for children). Everything will be introduced and will be local and the whole experience is laid-back and relaxing. For parties of four or more, they recommend booking ahead of time. You can also simply stop into the boutique and simply sample some wines as you shop for them as well as locally-produced jams, chutneys, syrups, olives, and more, as well as other wine-related products like ice bags for keeping your rosé chilled. The shop is open 10am to 6pm from Monday to Friday. Then there are the tours of the estate, offered at 11am from Monday to Friday (June to September) and by appoint for the rest of the year. These cost €5 per person (children can join for free) and kick off with a little glass of rosé before including stops at the castle, the chapel, the gardens, the vines, and the wine-making facility.
So, if you love wine and want to spend time exploring one of the most beautiful parts of France, be sure to find a holiday rental in Languedoc-Roussillon now and then plan a visit to the charming Seigneurie de Peyrat to learn all about and enjoy the incredible wines of the region in the most magical of settings!
Seigneurie de Peyrat
Route de Roujan, 34120 Pézenas, FRANCE
+33 (0)4 67 38 08 43
info@depeyrat.com
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm