"I’ve Been Immersed in the Wine World Since I Was a Child"

Dominique and his wife Mylène are well-versed in the world of wine. Mylène was born in Saint-Christol (Languedoc) into a family of winemakers. Dominique, on the other hand, is the grandson of a vineyard manager. "I’ve been immersed in the wine world since I was a child," he confides. This childhood experience left a lasting impact, as despite obtaining a BTS in industrial maintenance, Dominique ultimately chose to pursue a career in wine.

Having worked for several years as an employee at a vineyard in his region, Dominique, along with his wife, purchased parcels of vines. "We bought our first parcels in 1990, then we built our estate piece by piece, bringing the grapes to the local cooperative cellars," recalls Dominique. In 2012, the couple began constructing a winery on their property, marking the birth of Domaine Cante Vigne. "The desire to create our own wine was growing stronger, so we took the plunge. Today, we own 11 hectares, but we only vinify 3 hectares on the estate, while the rest of the harvest is still sent to cooperatives. Of course, the goal is to gradually bring all our hectares into production within three years," reveals Dominique.

Saint-Christol Village: A Winemaking Prestige Dating Back to the 12th Century

For Dominique and Mylène, the 2013 vintage holds significant importance. Indeed, it marked the launch of the first cuvées from Domaine Cante Vigne: two red wines and a rosé in the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation. Eager to produce wines that are true to the terroir, Dominique is committed to preserving the prestige of the village of Saint-Christol, which dates back to the 12th century. "It is very important for me to follow in the footsteps of this heritage and honor its history by showcasing the emblematic grape varieties of the region." In 2014, Dominique uprooted some of his parcels to plant Grenache Blanc, one of the three main white grape varieties along with Roussanne and Viognier.

"Artisanal Wines"

Since its inception, Domaine Cante Vigne has produced 10,000 bottles each year. Dominique works both in the vineyards and in the winery, while Mylène handles the administrative and commercial aspects. Dominique, who considers himself "a winemaker-craftsman," cannot imagine producing his wine any other way. "What excites me about my job is being involved from A to Z. I dedicate a lot of time to winemaking, aiming for meticulous work, countering the fast-paced industrial production methods."

Seasonal Harvesters: A Tradition at Domaine Cante Vigne

This passion for meticulous work naturally leads the winemaker to value interaction and sharing. While a large part of the vineyard is set up for mechanical harvesting, manual harvests by seasonal workers are a true tradition at Domaine Cante Vigne: "Let’s not forget that wine is a product of sharing and conviviality. It’s important for us to pass on these values from the harvest. This includes sharing meals with the seasonal harvesters, during which we can chat freely, taste our cuvées… It allows us to introduce them to our profession and share our passion," Dominique rejoices, eagerly anticipating the harvest season.