Mas Cal Demoura

For several decades now, the Domaine Mas Cal Demoura has embodied the Languedoc's pioneering spirit and exacting standards of quality, positioning the region at the heart of the world's major winegrowing dynamics. Behind this Occitan name, "Cal Demoura" ("we must stay"), lies the story of a visionary couple, Isabelle and Vincent Goumard, who, from 2004 onwards, have made this site, located in Jonquières on the Terrasses du Larzac, much more than just an estate: a resonant space where vines dialogue with geology, climate, biodiversity and time. The Domaine Mas Cal Demoura has established itself as one of the benchmark estates in the south of France, combining respect for life, plot-based precision and powerful expression of terroir.

Founded in the 1990s, Mas Cal Demoura was already a vineyard distinguished by the quality of its soils and its exceptional location in the heart of the Terrasses du Larzac. But it would take the arrival of Isabelle and Vincent to give it a new dimension. With the deep conviction that the full potential of this terroir could be realized through continuous, patient and respectful work, the couple, both trained in oenology in Dijon, embarked on an overhaul of the estate in 2004. Their ambition was not to turn it into an anonymous producer, but to give it a unique identity carried by terroirs, traditional grape varieties and a living viticulture.

The Domaine Mas Cal Demoura today covers around 16 hectares of vines, spread over limestone and clay-limestone stony soils, in an environment of Mediterranean coolness softened by the winds from the Larzac plateau. This day-night climatic contrast is at the heart of the wines' balance, preserving freshness, finesse and a beautiful aromatic palette, while benefiting from the region's solar maturity.

This exceptional terroir is worked to the highest standards. The Domaine practices organic viticulture, certified AB (Qualité France since 2010), and has been moving towards biodynamic viticulture since 2015, within the framework of Biodyvin, with precise interventions such as organic amendments, controlled grassing, biodynamic preparations (horn dung, silica, plant decoctions), shallow plowing, but also the development of infrastructures favorable to biodiversity (nesting boxes, hedges).

Manual viticulture, respectful and demanding, is applied plot by plot, grape by grape. Harvesting is entirely manual, in bins, with strict sorting in the vineyard and cellar. Yields are deliberately very low (between 15 and 25 hl/ha), in order to concentrate the material and reveal the purity of the terroir.

At the winery, located in Jonquières, the approach is in unison. Vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts, in gentle infusion, sometimes with long fermentations of 20 to 35 days, partially destemmed vats, measured punching down and regular pumping over, with the desire to accompany as closely as possible the transformation of the grapes into wine, without excessive intervention. Ageing is carefully controlled according to grape variety and plot, in demi-muids, foudres, concrete eggs or vats, depending on what allows the wine to develop with precision and accuracy.

One of the hallmarks of the Domaine Mas Cal Demoura is its palette of grape varieties, unique in the region. The estate works with five red grape varieties (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache) and six white grape varieties (Chenin, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache blanc, Muscat, Petit Manseng), each planted on the most suitable plots to maximize expression.

This diversity is reflected in a range of striking cuvées, each telling the story of the terroir in its own unique way. The most emblematic, Terre de Jonquières (formerly "L'Infidèle"), combines syrah, grenache, mourvèdre, carignan and cinsault. It embodies the Terrasses du Larzac identity with depth, structure, elegance and length. True to its style, it evolves towards balsamic, garrigue, leather and licorice notes, and boasts an estimated cellaring potential of 10-15 years.

The Les Combariolles cuvée, from a parcel selection on very filtering limestone pebble soils, further highlights the mineral verticality of the terroir. Composed of syrah, mourvèdre, carignan and grenache, it has been hailed by Bettane & Desseauve (rating 96/100), RVF (95/100) and Decanter, as a remarkable, balanced, racy cuvée from an expressive and elegant Languedoc.

Other notable cuvées include Feu Sacré, from old Grenache vines on a clay-limestone plot, complemented by Carignan and Mourvèdre. Aged 12 months in demi-muids and foudres, then a further 5 months in vats, it surprises with its finesse, elegance and complexity between black fruits, spices and flowers, as well as its ability to win the loyalty of demanding connoisseurs despite its limited stock.

On the white side, the domaine offers L'Étincelle, a blend of chenin, grenache blanc, roussanne, viognier, muscat and petit manseng. Lively, delicate and floral, it reveals the aromatic finesse and freshness of the domaine, in a hot, dry climate that could easily lead to flat wines, but which biodynamic viticulture and cool nights allow to transcend.

There are also cuvées such as Paroles de Pierres (Chenin 70%, Roussanne 20%, Grenache blanc, Petit Manseng), Qu'es Aquo (rosé made from cinsault, grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan) and Fragments, each telling a different story about the estate and its terroirs.

This concern for precision, diversity and nuance places Domaine Mas Cal Demoura among the Languedoc's most respected and admired estates. So much so, in fact, that the Revue du Vin de France hails it as an estate of great talent, combining parcel-based sensitivity, elegance and respect for the plant.

The style of the wines, whether red, white or rosé, is characterized by depth, elegant salinity, vibrant freshness, tension and minerality sometimes unaccustomed to southern appellations. The fruit is pure and precise, the tannins mellow but present, the texture elegant, the aromatic expression complex and fine. These wines embody, in their own way, another vision of Languedoc, more refined, racier, less consensual and far more memorable.

Food and wine pairings with cuvees from the Domaine Mas Cal Demoura offer true gastronomic experiences. Terre de Jonquières or Les Combariolles rigorously accompany roasted red meats, simmered dishes with aromatic thickness (daube, tajine with sweet spices), but also mature and generous cheeses. The more delicate Feu Sacré is a perfect match for autumn dishes with mild spices and suave textures. Among the whites, L'Étincelle shines with noble fish, creamy poultry, spicy exotic dishes or fresh cheeses with character. As for rosés like Qu'es Aquo, they sparkle as aperitifs, accompanying gourmet salads, summer grills or even light exotic cuisine.