Heritage Du Pic St. Loup 2 Items

Ermitage du Pic St-Loup dates back to the Middle Ages, as the former home of the bishops of Maguelone. The limestone peak or “pic” perched above the vineyards was named for the legendary Saint Thieri Loup. In 1992, the Ravaille brothers joined forces to plant a vineyard here in what has traditionally been land dominated by sheep farming and cheese production. The Ravaille family has been in the Languedoc for over a thousand years, long enough to have known Saint Loup personally. These brothers have been on a noble quest of their own to create serious wine that expresses the complexity of their terroir. The three fish on the label’s emblem therefore not only evoke the story of Saint Loup, but also their fraternal collaboration.The vineyards are located in the foothills of the Pic Saint Loup Mountain, benfitting from a south-southwest exposure at altitudes of 100-300 meters. The soil varies, but includes sand, schist, clay, and pebbles. Several different wines are produced by the family, and all are vinified in the tradition of the Languedoc. Varietals are vinified separately, and later blended depending upon the cuvee. During vinification the must benefits from long maceration in order to obtain deeply colored and concentrated wines. The domaine is owned by the Ravaille family, residents of the area for at least a thousand years.