Domaine Montrose

Domaine Montrose is a family estate located in the village of Tourbes, near Pézenas in the Languedoc region of France. The property has been in the Coste family since 1701, when their ancestor Joseph Alazard was granted a coat of arms featuring three lizards by the King of France. This emblem is still displayed on every bottle of wine produced by the estate. Today, the winery is managed by Bernard Coste and his son Olivier, who represent the ninth generation of the family at the property. The name Montrose is derived from the estate's location on a volcanic hill, known as a mont, and the pink almond blossoms, or rose, that grow in the surrounding landscape.

The estate encompasses approximately 100 hectares of vineyards featuring a rare combination of three distinct soil types. These include volcanic basalt from an ancient volcano, Villafranchian gravel terraces characterized by small round pebbles, and clay and limestone deposits. This diversity of terroir allows the family to match specific grape varieties to the soils that best support their development, including Grenache, Syrah, Rolle, and Chardonnay. The estate is certified High Environmental Value and has been carbon neutral since 2018. They have planted over 3,000 trees across 21 native Mediterranean species to encourage biodiversity within the vineyard landscape. Winemaking focuses on preserving freshness and finesse rather than power, with practices such as night harvesting to protect fruit from oxidation and fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.

While the estate produces white and red wines, it is primarily recognized for its rosés, which are often cited as reference points for the Languedoc. Their flagship rosé is typically a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah produced under the IGP Côtes de Thongue and IGP Pays d'Oc designations. One of their most prominent offerings is the 1701 cuvée, a prestige rosé sourced from Grenache grown on volcanic soil and Roussanne. They also produce the Salamandre red, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The property has received consistent praise from international critics for its technical precision and elegant style. This reputation is built on a commitment to a minimalist cellar approach that prioritizes balance and the specific aromatic profile of the volcanic and gravelly Mediterranean terroir.