Domaine de Roquemale
In 2001, Dominique & Valérie Ibanez purchased 10 hectares of vines in the village of Villeveyrac, just south-west of Montpellier. The vines are situated in a small valley behind an old, disused railway viaduct, an image that was chosen as the emblem of the Domaine.
Formerly producing wines largely under the Pays de l'Hérault IGP, in 2024, their vines are largely classified as AOC Languedoc – Grés de Montpellier. Approximately 25+ years old, their vignoble is surrounded by garrigue on gentle hillsides of clay and limestone with a very stoney surface. A lot of the soil is red because of the bauxite ore found nearby. 'Roquemale' in the Languedoc language means poor soil, which can be positive for the vines, as it produces few grapes with greater concentration. The microclimate there is heavily influenced by its proximity to the sea and the saltwater lagoons of the Bassin de Thau running along the coastline. Cooling winds refresh the vines at night and the constant movement of air mediates the heat of the sun.
