Our vineyard
The Laurent Cassignol vineyard
Nestling in the heart of the Hautes Corbières in the Aude, a region famous for its vineyards and rich Cathar heritage, lies a land full of charm and authenticity. The Laurent Cassignol winery is set in a unique environment. Located in Villeneuve-les-Corbières, the family vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir, in a region where history and nature meet in harmony.
Geographical location
The Laurent Cassignol winery, located in the high Corbières, in the heart of the Aude department, is a place rich in history and tradition.
The winery is located in Villeneuve-les-Corbières, in the Pre-Pyrenees, a few kilometres from the Château d’Aguilar, a major Cathar site, 30 km south-west of Narbonne and 50 km north-west of Perpignan.
Terroir, cultivation and grape varieties
The vineyard extends over 35 hectares (86,5 acres) of schist soils. The oldest vines were planted in 1920. Most of the vines were planted between 1950 and 1954, and their age adds complexity to our wines. The most recent vines were planted in 2024. The yield from our vineyards is between 15 and 30 hl/ha, depending on the age of the vines.
The average age of the vines is 60 years. All our traditional grape varieties – carignan, grenache and cinsault – are pruned using the gobelet method, while the syrah is pruned using the guyot method. The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand.
In order to replace the oldest vines, whose yields were too low and whose grape quality had deteriorated over time, and to adapt to climate change, 10 hectares have been replanted with carignan, cinsault, grenache blanc and vermentino. These grape varieties are adapted to the region’s hot weather, enabling us to maintain the production of red wines, the winery signature wines, and to boost the production of white and rosé wines.
Climate and topography
The vineyards are exposed to a frank mediterranean climate characterised by low rainfall in summer, very good sunshine (2,600 hours of sunshine a year), very dry air in summer and dry air in other seasons, strong north-westerly winds (the Cers) and little fog.
The vineyard plots are located at altitudes of between 140 m and 270 m.
Plenty of sunshine, dry winds and altitude provide a healthy, favourable environment that is so special to the vineyards.
« Our terroir perfectly embodies the typical characteristics of the Hautes Corbières: these are schist lands on dry soils with garrigue. The schist imparts more pronounced tannins, a very “terroir” aspect, with notes of red fruit, walnut, and blueberry. We have an exceptional terroir that allows us to produce wines of very high quality. »
Laurent Cassignol
Our wines
