Who are we?

Laïd Khimoun has worked as a viticulteur for many years now, fighting to achieve recognition for the local wines against prejudice from far and wide against Minervois wines. Now thanks to forward thinking and modernised practices from the new generation of producers we are starting to win the battle.
European Union legislation however, with its blunt weapon forcing producers to dig up vines, threatens to destroy a large part of this wine community, favouring instead the plantation of vines in eastern Europe, and as a side-effect ironically favouring the New World wines. We are losing not only the traditional way of life of generations but destroying the countryside shaped so largely by the cultivation of vines since the Roman period as well as the natural fauna of the region.

Helen Court, originally from England, discovered the joy of working with vines on moving to France five years ago, works alongside Laïd in the vines and also with our members.

Who can Benefit?

Our aim is to rent vines to people who would really like to be a part of the wine community here whether your interest is in wine, vine-growing or nature, for those who would just like to experience the vendanges, or have plans one day to become a vigneron.
You can become as involved as you would like as we run many different workshops during the year.

What Events?

We run workshops on how to care for your vines, especially different aspects of pruning techniques, which is one of the most important things to learn, as it has a profound effect on the final quality of grapes. Other subjects covered are diseases, pests and treatments and how to work the earth.

We can also suggest tastings at Chateaux, Domaines and Cave Cooperatives.

Members Benefits

When you rent a row of vines from us you become a member of our cooperative.
Every member is entitled to a guided visit to the cave cooperative and is invited to participate in the vendanges. Each day a picnic will be prepared for anyone taking part that day, and a meal will be prepared to celebrate the end of the
grape-picking.

There is a deduction of £50 from each weeks rental booked in the Maison Vignerron.

All of our members are welcome to visit at any time, but make sure before you come that someone is available to show you around.

Membership Fee

The rate is £110 or 150€.

Workshop Rates

We have a fixed rate of 40€ per half-day or 60€ per day for the workshops which can be booked in advance. These are either on a one-to-one basis or in small groups, depending on demand.