La Clape

The La Clape appellation is distinguished by its history, geology and identity. Going back to ancient times, 600 years ago, the Massif de la Clape was called "Insula laci", forming an island bordered by lakes. Today, attached to the mainland, the Massif de La Clape, meaning "heap of pebbles" in Occitan, offers a landscape of contrasts: sea to the east, low alluvial plains to the west, ponds to the south and the Pech Redon mountain towering 214 meters above it all. In 1973, this wild and diverse landscape became a listed nature park, immersing us in a spectacular setting of canyons, garrigue, pinewoods and vineyards, with the sea in the distance. 

The region's maritime Mediterranean climate is particularly dry, with almost 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. The proximity of the sea and the numerous winds (thirteen in all, including the tramontane) create conditions that help to keep the vines healthy and prevent disease. The soil alternates between flat stones, red earth, grey or yellow marl, red or green sandstone. All these characteristics make for ideal vine growing, giving the wines a balance between power on the one hand, and freshness and minerality on the other. The La Clape appellation produces a majority of red wines (80%), from blends of the region's traditional grape varieties: grenache, mourvèdre, syrah, carignan and cinsault; and 20% of white wines from bourboulenc, clairette, grenache, picpoul, marsanne, roussanne and rolle.