AOP Faugères — Organic Farming
From the Taillefer family, who passed the vines down from mother to daughter for nearly a century, to Florent Ollier who joined the cellar in 2020. A story of schist, of stones and of inheritance — often through the women.
On the foothills of the Massif Central, between 250 and 350 metres of altitude, Domaine Ollier-Taillefer farms 50 plots on the only 100% schist terroir in the Languedoc.
Our approach: sustainable viticulture from 2001, conversion to organic in 2009, Ecocert certification in 2012, mating disruption in 2014, energy self-sufficiency since 2020. And always: hand harvesting, just like our great-grandparents.
Before the Olliers, there were the Taillefers. Passed down from mother to daughter for nearly a century, on schist that nothing else could farm — and a Carignan planted in 1910 that gives us today's Grande Réserve.
For nearly a century, the vines passed from mother to daughter within the Taillefer family, on the schist of Fos. In 1910, the great-grandparents planted the Carignan vines that, a century later, would give the Grande Réserve. Sold in bulk to the cooperative — quality was built quietly, in the shadow of official records where these female lineages rarely appear.
Alain was not a winegrower — he became one out of love. To preserve the maternal lineage, he joined the two names: Ollier-Taillefer. 1977: first vintage released under the estate's own name. 1982: AOC Faugères status for the reds and rosés.
Luc took over the vines and the winemaking in 1990. His sister Françoise joined the estate in 2003 after 11 years leading the AOC Faugères Growers' Union — she had taken its helm at 25. She is now a member of the Vinifilles, the association of women winegrowers of Occitanie.
Luc's younger son, passionate about wine, nature and machinery. He joined the cellar in 2020. That same year the solar canopy was installed: the estate became 100% energy self-sufficient. In 2023 his first signature cuvée was born: Tournée Générale, with no added sulphites.
Eco-friendly cellar — Gard stone
Built in 2012, rethought in 2020 — designed first for the wine, then for the planet.
A photovoltaic canopy covers all of the cellar's needs. No gas, no fossil fuel to make the wine.
The walls breathe and stabilise humidity. Buried ducts cool the air naturally, without air conditioning.
Organic conversion begun in 2009, mating disruption in 2014. No herbicide, no insecticide. The garrigue, as a neighbour.
50 plots, 250 to 350 m of altitude, south-facing. Every bunch is sorted — grape selection begins in the vineyard.
From the Carignan planted in 1910 by the great-grandparents to the rare Mourvèdre aged 15 months in new oak — each wine tells of a plot, a generation, an intention.
Old Carignan 1910, Grenache, Syrah
The signature wine. Old Carignan planted by the great-grandparents in 1910, aged on fine lees. Three stars in the Guide Hachette 2023 — "exceptional wine". Compared by John Gilman to the wines of Gérard Chave.
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre
Aged 12 months in French oak (15% new wood). Taut, deep, almost architectural — the wine you keep for the finest tables.
50% Mourvèdre, 50% Syrah
Fifteen months in new oak. Confidential by nature. The wine you return to — the one worth the wait.
25% Carignan, 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Cinsault
Florent's impulse. Four grape varieties in equal parts, with no added sulphites. A "touch of cheekiness that delights" (Greta Garbure, 2022).
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah
The estate's freshest expression. Exported as Clos des Murettes. Honest, straight, open from its youth.
Grenache, Syrah (saignée), Mourvèdre
"A delicate, silky texture, expressing a remarkable floral and spicy intensity" — Le Figaro. Two stars in the Guide Hachette 2020.
50% Roussanne, 50% Vermentino
AOC Faugères white, recognised since 2004. Mineral tension, a finish of fresh almond. The surprise of any tasting.
Charentais distillation
A Languedoc eau-de-vie recognised since 1948, taken over by the family in 2000. At least ten years in oak cask. Confidential.
Direct sales at the cellar and online — order a selection (minimum 6 bottles, mix freely).
Secure payment by Stripe, shipping throughout mainland France. Mix freely, order from 6 bottles — free shipping from 12 bottles, or free pickup at the cellar in Fos.
Old Carignan 1910, Grenache, Syrah
Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre — French oak
50% Mourvèdre, 50% Syrah — 15 months new oak
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah
Grenache, Syrah (saignée), Mourvèdre
50% Roussanne, 50% Vermentino
Charentais distillation — since 1948
Mainland France, 6-bottle parcels in reinforced cardboard, tracked by email. Shipping €14.90 up to 11 bottles, free from 12.
Visa / Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay. Bank-grade encryption, no card data stored. Lower fees, no middleman.
Free option at checkout. High season: Mon–Sat 11am–12pm / 2.30pm–6pm. Low season: Saturday 2pm–5pm or by appointment.
A tasting room for 30 people, a cellar in the heart of the village of Fos, self-guided walks, summer evenings, immersive harvests — all our experiences are booked in advance.
All year round
Self-guided · book 48h in advance
A sensory wander through the vineyard, interactive map and road-book in hand. At your own pace, in the footsteps of one of the estate's ancestors. Picnic option: a basket of fresh, local, seasonal produce delivered to a magical spot along the way.
Book the walk
July only
Last 3 Thursdays of July · 6.30pm → 10pm
Home-made tapas and spreads in jars, charcuterie from local producers, organic bread, goat's cheese, fig jam. A vertical tasting of older vintages. Option: cellar visit + a 4×4 ride through the vines at sunset.
Book an evening
September
Harvest season · immersive morning
Join the picking alongside the team. Secateurs in hand, understand why we have hand-harvested for six generations. Followed by a winegrower's meal at the estate.
Sign up
April → October
Self-guided · curated basket
A winegrower's basket, a map, a chosen spot among our finest plots. Lunch becomes a landscape. Perfect as a couple or with family.
Build a basket
A stone's throw from the cellar, in the village of Fos, our charming stone gîte sleeps up to 5 guests. The perfect base to explore the Faugères terroir, between schist and garrigue.
Booking via Gîtes de France Hérault · ref. 34G10401
"One of the finest wines I have ever tasted from the Languedoc, with an aesthetic sensibility that recalls the wines from the great Gérard Chave!"
John Gilman — View from the Cellar, August 2022
on the Grande Réserve 2018
"This estate makes wines full of naturalness and humanism, without seeking extremes."
Guide Bettane & Desseauve 2016
"A delicate, silky texture, expressing a remarkable floral and spicy intensity."
Le Figaro
on Les Collines Rosé
"The Faugères Tournée Générale, a touch of cheekiness that delights, bubbling with impetuous vivacity."
Greta Garbure / Blandine Vié, 2022
Five minutes from the village of Faugères. Wheelchair access (90 cm doors, adapted toilets, lowered counter).