Château Jouclary

Château Jouclary received its name in 1532 from Guilhaume de Jouglary, who owned land between Conques-sur-Orbiel and Villegailhenc. Robert Gianesini acquired Jouclary in 1969 when the property was 30 hectares, and later bought the other half in 1990 for the installation of his son Pascal. Located 10 km north of Carcassonne towards Mazamet, the estate has 60 hectares of vines, half in AOP Cabardès on clay-limestone hillsides and half in IGP Oc on cooler, deeper soils. Grapes grown include Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache. Winemaking includes early morning harvesting for noble grape varieties, temperature-controlled fermentation, gentle pressing, and destemming allowing long macerations. The semi-underground winery houses mostly traditional concrete vats, many renovated and protected with epoxy coating.