The Gaillacois vineyard is an ancient and diverse place that promises a sensory journey through charming bastides and welcoming hillsides. This beautiful story dates back to the Gauls, who planted their vines along the Tarn river and learned wine-making techniques from the Romans who called it the “little Tuscany” of Tarn. In the 10th century, the monks from Saint-Michel de Gaillac abbey made barrels of wine and sent them to Burdigala through the Garonne when the Bordeaux vineyard did not yet exist.
Today, the oldest vineyard in France stretches from Albi to Saint-Sulpice, and from Cordes-sur-Ciel to Graulhet, with 350 winegrowers on six terroirs, labeled AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée). The vineyard grows 14 grape varieties, including seven traditional ones: Mauzac, Loins de l’Oeil, Braucol, Ondenc, Duras, Muscadelle, and Prunelard. This rich heritage and original practices are responsible for producing an astonishing variety of quality wines such as reds, dry, or sweet whites (including late harvests), rosés, primeurs, sparkling and pearly wines.
To explore all the charms of the Gaillacois, one can visit La Maison des Vins, which is housed in the historic Saint-Michel abbey with a museum and tourist office. Visitors can taste and take away a hundred wines from there. Other activities include going on an exhilarating Œnorando by foot to visit a few wine estates or taking an electric bike from Cordes-sur-Ciel to the Gayrard estate. One can also experience an all-terrain Segway circuit, and there is a Pass Vigneron to follow the wine routes at one’s own pace and visit splendid bastides such as Cordes-sur-Ciel, Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Lisle-sur-Tarn, Labastide-de-Lévis, Castelnau-de-Lévis, Puycelsi.
The Gaillacois vineyard is also a place of festivity, with the Z’Elles Gaillacoises celebrating winegrowers and women of wine from June 16-18 and the Great Gaillac Wine Festival at the magnificent Parc de Foucaud from August 4-6.
For practical information, the Gaillac Wine House is located at the Saint Michel Abbey in Gaillac, and more information can be found at the Gaillac Bastides and Vineyards Tourist Office and the Tarn and Gaillacois Tourism website.
An ancestral vineyard with many facets, the Gaillacois invites us to take our senses on a journey between welcoming hillsides and charming bastides.
Cis a beautiful story that dates back to the time of the Gauls! On their rustic vines, planted on the banks of the Tarn, was grafted the know-how of the Romans who shaped this Tarn “little Tuscany”. In the 10th century, the monks of the Saint-Michel de Gaillac abbey made barrels of it which they sent, via the Garonne, to Burdigala at a time when the Bordeaux vineyard did not yet exist.
AN AMAZING VARIETY OF GOOD WINES
Today, the oldest French vineyard extends from Albi to Saint-Sulpice, and from Cordes-sur-Ciel to Graulhet. Labeled AOC (Appellation d’origine contrôlée), it brings together 350 winegrowers on 6 terroirs. 14 grape varieties are grown there, as for the AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including seven traditional ones: Mauzac, Loins de l’Oeil, Braucol, Ondenc, Duras, Muscadelle and Prunelard. This rich heritage associated with original practices produces an astonishing variety of quality wines with beautiful identities: reds, dry or sweet whites (including late harvests), rosés, primeurs, sparkling and sparkling (or pearly) wines. Something to satisfy all tastes on all occasions!
WALKS AND WINE FESTIVITIES
To be convinced, visit La Maison des Vins housed in the historic Saint-Michel abbey with the Tourist Office and a museum. You can taste and take away a hundred wines! To explore all the charms of the Gaillacois, set off to discover it… On foot for an exhilarating Œnorando to meet a few wine estates or by electric bike to go from Cordes-sur-Ciel to the Gayrard estate. More fun, an all-terrain Segway circuit! There is also a Pass Vigneron to follow the wine routes at your own pace and take the opportunity to visit splendid bastides: Cordes-sur-Ciel, Castelnau-de-Montmiral, Lisle-sur-Tarn, Labastide-de-Lévis, Castelnau- de-Lévis, Puycelsi…
Wine is also a party! From June 16 to 18, the Z’Elles Gaillacoises celebrate winegrowers and women of wine. From August 4 to 6, it’s the great Gaillac Wine Festival in the magnificent Parc de Foucaud. Goleyant and festive events not to be missed!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION :
— GAILLAC WINE HOUSE: Saint Michel Abbey, in Gaillac – www.vins-gaillac.com
— GAILLAC BASTIDES AND VINEYARDS TOURIST OFFICE: www.la-toscane-occitane.com
— TARN AND GAILLACOIS TOURISM: www.tourisme-tarn.com
In conclusion, the Gaillacois vineyard is a treasure trove of history, tradition, and diversity. With its range of grape varieties and wine styles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you choose to explore the region on foot, by bike, or in style on a Segway, you will be captivated by the stunning hillsides and picturesque bastides. And with wine festivals that celebrate the skills and passion of the winegrowers, the Gaillacois invites you to come and experience a taste of French wine-making at its very best. So why not plan your visit today and immerse yourself in the beauty and flavors of this heavenly corner of France?
