History
The Plaimont Union was set up in the heart of Southwest France in the 1970s.
Gascony has a rich viticultural history but its dwindling population in the latter half of the 20th century saw villages and vineyards abandoned.
This decline was reversed by André Dubosc, a local man determined to reinvigorate the area and restore its wine reputation. He brought together a group of like-minded winegrowers and founded the Producteurs Plaimont in 1979.
Their quality-focused approach melds respect for tradition and innovation: ancient grape varieties have been resurrected; old vineyards have been restored, divided into plots and worked individually to optimize quality; grape varieties are planted according to microclimate and soils; sustainable agricultural principles are followed in sympathy with the environment; chemical treatments are minimised; fruit is hand-harvested; and wines are made using modern techniques to preserve primary fruit and character of the local grapes.
Gascony’s wine culture is now thriving - the countryside is carpeted with vines once more and Plaimont enjoys an international reputation for its high quality, characterful wines.
This unusual terroir with layers of sand soils has nourished and protected the vines for over 150 years, preventing the attack of the Pylloxera insects to burrow galleries in the soil to reach –and kill- the vine’s roots. This vineyard therefore managed to survive the Phylloxera blight that severe in the region (and many other European lands) in mid XIX century.
In the manner this parcel has been planted, this vines bear witness to ancient viticultural methods used in the region that no longer exist. Plaimont’s research center has permitted to revive old practices and carefully straighten the old vines with dedication and patience, to allow the sun to reach them.
The Vineyards
The vineyards are located in the Madiran region (AOC), a sub-region of Gascony, South-West France situated at the foothills of the Pyrenees
The ancestral vineyard, which dates back to 1150 and the Kingdom of Navarre, has been recently renovated and comprises 12 parcels over 14 hectares. It is located on clay-limestone and pebble clay slopes. The vines are made up of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc for Madiran wines, and Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng for Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh.
Tannat is originally from French Basque Country and has been grown as the main grape variety of the Madiran region, in the foothills of the Pyrénées mountains, since the 17th century.
Mild winters, stormy summers and dry sunny autumns paired with the proximity to the Pyrenees all contribute to the optimal maturation of the grapes. Hot days are ideal for fruit concentration and cool clear nights to retain freshness. This parcel is characterized by its south & south-westerly exposure which confers optimal maturing conditions to the grapes – especially Tannat a late ripening grape.
The winemakers of Saint-Mont follow sustainable practices in the vineyards supported by constant monitoring and modern equipment. Harvest is done completely by hand. They are then taken immediately to the winery to be pressed in order to preserve the freshness of the fruit.
