The Frontonnais vineyard: a wine-growing treasure in the heart of South-West France
The South-West of France is a region renowned for its gastronomy and its exceptional wines. At the heart of this generous land, the Frontonnais vineyard is distinguished by its centuries-old history, its wines of character and its unique terroir. Let’s dive into the bewitching universe of this vineyard with a rich heritage.
A Gallo-Roman and medieval heritage
The Frontonnais vineyard is one of the oldest in France, its origins dating back to Gallo-Roman times. Already at that time, the winegrowers had understood the exceptional potential of the land located along the Garonne, benefiting from generous sunshine and a mild climate with oceanic and Mediterranean influences. Property of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Fronton vineyards benefited from the protection of the Commandery and the Priory of Toulouse, thus adding to its reputation.
The Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle have also contributed to the development of the Fronton vineyards. The pilgrims, en route to Santiago de Compostela, crossed the region and discovered the local wines. This frequent passage has greatly contributed to the distribution of Frontonnais wines throughout France and beyond, particularly in England, thanks to the famous “Via Tolosana”.
Development under constraints
In the Middle Ages, the Frontonnais vineyard experienced a prosperous period thanks to a major construction campaign. The local economy is prospering, and agricultural production, particularly wine, is flourishing. However, the wars of religion marked a brutal halt to this development. The ravages and troubles they caused undermined the prosperity of the vineyard, which only recovered slowly from the 18th century.
A prestigious controlled designation of origin
Today, the Frontonnais vineyard has been classified as an “Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée” (AOC) since 1975, a recognition that attests to the quality and authenticity of the wines produced in the region. This AOC covers an area of approximately 2,500 hectares, spread over 25 communes in the Haute-Garonne.
The emblematic grape variety of the appellation is Négrette, a unique grape variety that gives rise to elegant and aromatic red wines. Négrette, combined with other grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, gives the wines of the Frontonnais a unique and recognizable identity among all.
Frontonnais wines are distinguished by their deep red colour, their aromas of red and black fruits, their supple tannins and their freshness on the palate. They perfectly express the richness of the terroir, marked by rolled pebbles, clay-siliceous soils and the influence of the region’s favorable climate.
Beyond the Fronton, the Tolosan County
In addition to the Fronton appellation, the Haute-Garonne region is also renowned for the “Comté Tolosan”. It is a “Protected Geographical Indication” (IGP) which encompasses a wide variety of grape varieties and wines. This IGP allows winegrowers in the region to express their creativity and produce varied and accessible wines, in line with the trends and preferences of contemporary consumers.
The Frontonnais vineyard, rich in its historical heritage and its exceptional terroir, continues to seduce wine lovers looking for authentic taste discoveries. Whether with its powerful and aromatic red wines or its lighter and fruitier wines, the Frontonnais offers a palette of flavors that testifies to the know-how of the passionate winegrowers who have been cultivating this land for generations.
If you want to immerse yourself in the wine world of South-West France, a visit to the Fronton vineyards is a must. Let yourself be guided by the vines, discover the secrets of winemaking and taste these exceptional nectars, true ambassadors of a unique terroir with timeless charm.
The domains of the Fronton vineyard: Website
Let’s discover together some areas…
Villematier
Peyraux Castle
Château des Peyraux is a small organic wine-growing estate of 5 Ha in the AOP Fronton (South-West). With indigenous and historic grape varieties such as Négrette, Duras and Prunelar, Château des Peyraux is reborn from oblivion with natural and gourmet cuvées (according to the Vin Méthode Nature specifications), giving pride of place to wines without added sulphites. Great attention is given to the soils, to the natural rhythms, and the manual care of the vines is constant and meticulous, right up to the harvest by hand. Vinification and aging at the Château.
Address: 1187 Rte des Châteaux, 31340 Villematier
Telephone: (int+33) 06 72 62 55 91
Chateau La Loge
Maxime and Audrey, winegrowers of Château La Loge, fell in love with this beautiful 19th century building surrounded by 6 hectares of vines. It was in 2018 that they took over the estate and began a conversion to organic farming, thus fulfilling their dream of a calmer life closer to nature. They have even opened guest rooms in this large house, a welcoming and relaxing place, ideal for discovering the region… and the wines of Château La Loge!
Address: 138 Rte des Châteaux, 31340 Villematier
Telephone: (Int+) 06 64 61 67 57
Domaine Roumagnac
Nicolas and Jean-Paul Roumagnac united their passion in 2010 to develop this estate and create authentic cuvées, signed with the “R” of Roumagnac. But Nicolas, the rugby player, does not stop there. He develops many activities at the Domaine and offers you his “VinÔbox” with tastings, fun workshops, meals… In short, a tailor-made program subject to advance notice. Group welcome and visits by appointment.
Address: Raygades, 31340 Villematier
Phone: (Int+33) 06 80 95 34 08
Burgaud
Domaine du Moulin de Mont Lauzin
Perched on a hill in the north of Haute-Garonne, the vines extend over 5 hectares and are surrounded by large forests. From their promontory, they are fortunate to have no direct contact with the agricultural areas of the Toulouse plain.
Ecosystem and climate
A mixed forest of gall and pedunculate oaks adjoins the vines, accompanied by flora characteristic of acid soils. Heather, European gorse, white cistus, broom grow in a climate of transition between the Atlantic and the Sub-Mediterranean.
Address: 4685 Chem. of the Forest, 31330 Le Burgaud
Telephone: (int+33) 06 30 00 74 78
Villaudric
Chateau Caze
Château Caze was created in 1776 by Antoine Caze. The superb cellar dates from the time of the estate’s creation. Dug in the basement, to guarantee good freshness and great temperature stability, it houses cement and polyester vats and oak casks and barrels. The wines are aged there in accordance with the family tradition, with one objective: to produce quality wines.
Address: 45 Rue de la Negrette, 31620 Villaudric
Phone: (Int+33) 06 16 31 48 69
Villemur-sur-Tarn
Chateau La Couteliere
The wines of Fronton, this two-thousand-year-old vineyard, located between Toulouse and Montauban, produces red and rosé wines. Négrette, a local and aromatic grape variety, is grown here.
Today the vineyard covers around thirty hectares, with mainly Négrette and also Syrah, Cabernets and Malbec. Our estate is located on the second and third terraces of the Tarn which dates from the Quaternary. The vines thrive on soils of boulbènes (pebbles, sand and silt) and gravel (gravel on the surface and clay in depth).
Address: 45 Rue de la Forge, 31340 Villemur-sur-Tarn
Phone: (Int+33) 06 89 93 93 78
Castelnau d’Estretefonds
Chateau Flotis
The castle is located in the town of Castelnau d’Estretefonds, in the heart of the Fronton appellation vineyard.
Historic Frontonnais wine estate, the building, a splendid U-shaped farmhouse of around 1000 m2, was built at the end of the 18th century.
Abandoned in the 1990s, the estate was taken over in 2004 by the Ribes family (owner of the Le Roc estate) with the ambition of bringing the château back to life and restoring the past luster of one of the jewels of the appellation. Pediment.
The serious and diligent work carried out in the vineyard by the Ribes family over several years now offers the terroir of Château Flotis magnificent grape varieties (Négrette, Syrah, Chenin, Muscadelle, Chardonnay).
In 2018, we acquired the building and a few plots of vines. Sensitive to the know-how and the vision of the work of the land of the Ribes family, we choose to leave the exclusivity of the winemaking work to them.
To date, a procedure for conversion to organic farming has been initiated.
Address: 1013 Chem. de Flotis, 31620 Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds
Phone: (Int+33) 05 62 79 01 87
Chateau Joliet
This former Frontonnaise property was taken over by François and Marie-Claire Daubert. Young retirees since September 2010, they passed on their heritage to Marie-Ange and Jérôme Soriano, Fronton winegrowers, who put their hearts into ensuring the continuity and reputation of Château Joliet.
Located in the town of FRONTON, 29 km from TOULOUSE, this former Frontonnaise property was taken over by François and Marie-Claire DAUBERT.
For more than 20 years, their constant efforts have positioned Château Joliet among the best châteaux in the appellation. Young retirees since September 2010, they passed on their heritage to Marie-Ange and Jérôme SORIANO, Fronton winegrowers, who put all their heart into ensuring the continuity and reputation of Château JOLIET.
At present, the 12 hectares of vines, planted at 4500 stumps/hectare, are cultivated under reasoned management, with concern for the environment, with control of yields by sodding and manual thinning.
Address: RD 4, Château Lafite, 31620 Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds
Phone: (Int+33)05 61 74 71 28
Domaine Saint-Guilhem
A former wine estate since 1738, the aptly named Saint Guilhem owes its origins to the Count of Toulouse Guillaume de Gellone, canonized in 1066 under the name of Saint Guilhem.
Recognized for its fine wines and brandies in the last centuries, the Saint Guilhem estate after an eclipse in the 80s today has 7 ha of vines, meadows and woods with rare and century-old essences.
Address: 1619 Chemin de St Guilhem, 31620 Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds
Phone: (Int+33) 05 61 82 12 09
Vacquiers
Domaine Plaisance Penavayre
Domaine Plaisance Penavayre is above all 26 hectares of vines in the commune of Vacquiers. It is also a family business passed down from father to son at the Penavayre family: from Louis to Marc and from Marc to Thibaut.
For many years, this winery has favored gentle cultivation methods. In 2005, it adopted the Organic Farming approach to apply the principles of biodynamics over the past four years. A cultivation technique stimulating the natural development of grape varieties with decoctions of homeopathic plants and treatments based on sulfur and copper.
Today, the son, Thibaut, has joined his father at the head of the estate. He applies the common Penavayre vision: more natural working techniques for very healthy harvests and 100% grape juice vinification. The estate is also dedicated to the production of other equally rare and quality grape varieties: the miraculous Negret Pounjut and the forgotten Bouysselet grape variety.
Address: 102 Pl. de la Mairie, 31340 Vacquiers
Telephone: (Int+33) 05 61 84 97 41
Pradelles area
Today, the Domaine des Pradelles winemaker is… a winemaker! Noëlle Prat welcomes you to the Domaine to let you taste her wines, tell you their story and
hers: a busy mother’s life between the vines, the cellar, the shop, the children and… basketball!
Address: 44 Chem. de la Bourdette, 31340 Vacquiers
Telephone: (+33) 05 61 84 97 36
Pediment
Domaine Le Roc
The history of Domaine Le Roc is that of a close-knit family and team where everyone finds their place. Jean-Luc took over the family property in 1981, joined by Frédéric and Cathy in 1988,
then by Pierre in 1995. Today, it is the youngest, Anne (Frédéric and Cathy’s daughter) and Grégoire, her cousin, who are joining the adventure. These are the “Petits Pebbles” of the Roc… As for wines, the Ribes family is committed to offering you wines of character, produced by vines cultivated according to healthy and reasoned agriculture. Generous and authentic: two qualifiers that apply as much to the cuvées as to the winegrowers of the Roc!
Address: 1605 C, Rte de Toulouse, 31620 Fronton
Telephone: (Int+33) 05 61 82 93 90