Wineries for sale in the South-West region - Haute Pays

The Haute Pays (expression designating the vineyards upstream of Lanchon, from Cahors, Gaillac and Tourlouse).

This part of the vineyards of the South-West of France continues along the valley of the Garonne river from Buzet to Gaillacois and includes the well-known appellation of Cahors.

Buzet: located between the left bank of the Garonne river and the Landes forest, the AOC Buzet extends over 2000 ha along about 40 km of slopes. This AOC produces red, white and rosé wines from traditional grape varieties found in the Gironde: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec (also called Côt) for the reds and rosés and Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle for the whites.

Cahors: these red vineyards of ancient reputation extend over some 5,000 ha on the terraces bordering the Lot river valley. Also called black wine, Cahors wine is produced with at least 70% Malbec. Two other varieties are allowed, Merlot and Tannat. Traditionally the wines are dense, rough and age well.

Côtes du Brulhois: this 250 ha AOVDQS appellation actually covers a vast territory at the meeting of Lot-et-Garonne, Gers and Tarn-et-Garonne. Only red and rosé are produced from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tannat, some Malbec and a local grape called Fer Servadou.

Coteaux du Quercy: On the borders of Lot and Tarn-et-Garonne, the AOVDQS Coteaux du Quercy extends over 400 ha, only red and rosé wines are produced from Cabernet Franc, Tanner, Gamay, Merlot and Malbec grapes.

Entraygues et Le Fel, Estaing: between Aurillac and Rodez, these two AOVDS micro-appellations have only 20 ha Entraygues et Le Fel and 14 ha Estaing. They are located between Aveyron and Cantal. While the former produces only reds and rosés, Estaing can produce white wines. There is a great variety of grapes that cohabit, so for the reds there are the varieties Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Fer Servadou, Gamay, Jurançon Noir, Merlot, Mouysagues, Négrette and Pinot Noir. For the whites there are the varieties Mauzac and Chenin.

Fronton: With 2,400 hectares spread over the departments of Tarn-et-Garonne and Haute-Garonne, the AOC Fronton is one of the heavyweights of the South-West. The typicality of Fronton's red and rosé wines is based on the use of a major grape variety, the Négrette, which is rarely cultivated outside Frontonnais. This grape produces full-bodied, aromatic wines with a good tannic structure.

Gaillac: The AOC Gaillac, covering 3,500 ha, is characterised by the diversity of its production, reds, rosés, dry whites, sparkling and sweet wines. Variety is also found in the grape varieties. For reds the varieties are Duras, Braucol and Syrah. For whites, the varieties are Mauzac, which must make up at least 50% of the wine, and there is also the Len de l'El variety. Perhaps the identity of this AOC is a bit blurred and diluted due to its great diversity.

Lavilledieu: between Fronton and Coteaux du Quercy, the AOVDQS extends over 150 ha. It produces red and rosé wines from Négrette, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Milgranet, Tannat and Gamay grapes.

Marcillac: northwest of Rodez, this AOC of Aveyron covers about 170 ha and produces red and rosé wines. The particularity of the AOC Marcillac is its varieties, it is the only one that imposes 90% of Fer Servadou variety in its wines and only 10% of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc. Hence the typicity of its wines.