La Livinière

La Livinière, a paradise for vines

Halfway between the medieval city of Carcassonne and the old Roman port of Narbonne, La Livinière, a small village at the foot of the Montagne Noire is the cradle for the largest vineyards in Minervois.

The history of this charming village dates back to the second century B.C., where the vineyard had already been established before the Roman occupation. They named it Cela Vinaria (Wine Cellar) to designate this especially favourable land for vine cultivation.

Famous for its symbolic steeple, the appellation La Livinière, founded in 1999, is one of the most dynamic in Languedoc and the indisputable quality of the wines produced in recent years testifies to its potential.

Straddling the departments of Aude and Hérault, this special area is spread out over 210 hectares and over 6 villages:La Livinière, Siran, Cesseras, Félines-Minervois, Azillanet and Azille.
Noted since antiquity, this area is distinguished by a unique microclimate and an exceptional geological profile. At the very inception of the AOC, the winemakers of La Livinière mutually agreed to impose a discipline upon themselves virtually without example in France or anywhere else the world. The production rules are draconian and are binding for some thirty producers. The classic Mediterranean varietals are given preference (Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre); yields are capped at 45 hl/ha.

The wines are officially granted the Minervois-La Livinière appellation only at the start of November, following a-12 month vinification.
In the end, only the best shall be entitled to bear the name “La Livinière-Minervois”.