Dominique Capelle, Domaine Cante Vigne: ‘I see myself as a winegrower-craftsman’.

Dominique and his wife Mylène are well-versed in the world of wine. Mylène was born in Saint-Christol (Languedoc) into a family of winemakers. Dominique, on the other hand, is the grandson of a vineyard manager. "I’ve been immersed in the wine world since I was a child," he confides. This childhood experience left a lasting impact, as despite obtaining a BTS in industrial maintenance, Dominique ultimately chose to pursue a career in wine.

How did Domaine Cante Vigne come to life?

From the first parcels to the estate winery

Having worked for several years as an employee at a vineyard in his region, Dominique, along with his wife, purchased parcels of vines.

We bought our first parcels in 1990, then we built our estate piece by piece, bringing the grapes to the local cooperative cellars

recalls Dominique. In 2012, the couple began constructing a winery on their property, marking the birth of Domaine Cante Vigne.

The desire to create our own wine was growing stronger, so we took the plunge. Today, we own 11 hectares, but we only vinify 3 hectares on the estate, while the rest of the harvest is still sent to cooperatives. Of course, the goal is to gradually bring all our hectares into production within three years

reveals Dominique.

What does the village of Saint-Christol bring to the wines?

A winemaking heritage dating back to the 12th century

For Dominique and Mylène, the 2013 vintage holds significant importance. Indeed, it marked the launch of the first cuvées from Domaine Cante Vigne: two red wines and a rosé in the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation. Eager to produce wines that are true to the terroir, Dominique is committed to preserving the prestige of the village of Saint-Christol, which dates back to the 12th century.

It is very important for me to follow in the footsteps of this heritage and honor its history by showcasing the emblematic grape varieties of the region.

In 2014, Dominique uprooted some of his parcels to plant Grenache Blanc, one of the three main white grape varieties along with Roussanne and Viognier.

How does Dominique approach his craft?

Artisanal wines, made from A to Z

Since its inception, Domaine Cante Vigne has produced 10,000 bottles each year. Dominique works both in the vineyards and in the winery, while Mylène handles the administrative and commercial aspects. Dominique, who considers himself "a winemaker-craftsman," cannot imagine producing his wine any other way.

What excites me about my job is being involved from A to Z. I dedicate a lot of time to winemaking, aiming for meticulous work, countering the fast-paced industrial production methods.

What place do the seasonal harvests hold at the estate?

Manual harvests, a tradition of sharing

This passion for meticulous work naturally leads the winemaker to value interaction and sharing. While a large part of the vineyard is set up for mechanical harvesting, manual harvests by seasonal workers are a true tradition at Domaine Cante Vigne:

Let’s not forget that wine is a product of sharing and conviviality. It’s important for us to pass on these values from the harvest. This includes sharing meals with the seasonal harvesters, during which we can chat freely, taste our cuvées… It allows us to introduce them to our profession and share our passion

Dominique rejoices, eagerly anticipating the harvest season.

Frequently asked questions about Domaine Cante Vigne

Where is Domaine Cante Vigne located?

The estate sits in Saint-Christol, in the Hérault, within the Languedoc appellation. This winegrowing village traces its heritage back to the 12th century.

Who is Dominique Capelle?

The grandson of a vineyard manager, he bought his first plots with his wife Mylène in 1990 before building the estate. Their own winery opened in 2012, the starting point of their independent winemaking.

What wines does Domaine Cante Vigne produce?

The first cuvées, released in 2013, include two reds and a rosé under the Coteaux du Languedoc appellation. The couple currently vinifies 3 of the 11 hectares they own.

Which grape varieties grow at the estate?

In 2014, Dominique Capelle planted Grenache Blanc, one of the region's three main white varieties alongside Roussanne and Viognier. Reds and a rosé round out the range.

What does the estate's winemaker-craftsman approach mean?

It reflects hands-on involvement at every stage, from the vines to the winery, on a deliberately modest output of around 10,000 bottles a year. Manual harvests shared with seasonal pickers remain a highlight.