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Château La Grave
Château La Grave in Minervois: carignan, syrah and grenache, Terra Vitis, direct from the estate...
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Château La Grave: the family heritage of Jean-François Orosquette
Château La Grave
A 95-hectare estate (of which 45 in AOC Minervois) in Badens, in the Aude, run by Jean-Francois Orosquette. Terra Vitis certified, on the Balcons de l'Aude terroir: Minervois reds, whites and roses between power and elegance.
Wine, a family affair. For Jean-Francois Orosquette, wine is far more than a job: it is a vocation passed down from generation to generation. From a childhood spent in the vines to the discovery of the harvests, every gesture has shaped his know-how. From these experiences a conviction is born: the balance between tradition and modernity. Each vintage is unique, but respect for the land and adaptation to new techniques guarantee continuity and authenticity.
The La Grave terroir, between freshness and aridity
The estate spans 95 hectares, of which 45 hectares in AOC Minervois. Its richness lies in the diversity of its soils. The cool lands, facing north, offer an ideal environment for white grapes: the clay, laid over sandstone banks, retains moisture and protects the vine from water stress, where Maccabeu, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Sauvignon and Chardonnay express finesse and freshness.
The arid lands, covered in gravel, are light, draining and suited to reds, notably Mourvedre, a demanding but generous grape. These harder-to-work soils give the wines an elegant structure and a marked identity.
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Reasoned, respectful viticultural practices
At Château La Grave, the vine is managed in respect of the natural balances: pruning adapted to the grapes (Cordon de Royat, goblet or Guyot), soil decompaction in winter, mechanical weeding in summer. Traditional tools are favoured for their efficiency, and reasoned farming guides every gesture, with a clear aim: to preserve biodiversity and soil health. This philosophy naturally led the estate to Terra Vitis certification: since the 2019 vintage, all the Château La Grave wines carry this label, a symbol of a sustainable commitment.
The Balcons de l'Aude, an exceptional terroir
The estate benefits from the unique terroir of the Balcons de l'Aude, a vast sunny amphitheatre overlooking the Canal du Midi. This sector, swept alternately by the Cers (north wind) and the Marin (south wind), enjoys a balanced climate, limiting the risks of diseases and frosts. The diversity of soils (pebbles, marls, clays and limestones) favours the expression of red grapes such as Syrah and Grenache, which find here a favoured ground, for wines between power and elegance.
The estate's wines: the expression of Minervois
From the premium Privilege range to the Expression cuvees, through to O Marie and the IGP Coteaux de Peyriac range, each cuvee reveals the richness of Minervois. Here are the cuvees to discover direct from the estate.
Privilège Rouge
AOP Minervois - red
Intense and elegant, with notes of black fruits, spices and violet: the estate's premium red cuvee.
Privilège Blanc
AOP Minervois - white, barrel-aged
Vinified in oak barrels, carried by the old Maccabeu vines (over 70 years): complexity, volume and finesse.
Expression Rouge
AOP Minervois - red (Gold CGA 2025)
Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, with aromas of candied cherries and garrigue. The 2022 vintage won Gold at the 2025 Concours General Agricole.
Expression Blanc
AOP Minervois - white
A fresh, expressive blend dominated by Maccabeu, all in balance between acidity and roundness.
Expression Rosé
AOP Minervois - rosé
Generous and elegant, on notes of small red fruits: ideal as an aperitif and with southern cuisine.
Ô Marie
AOP Minervois - red
Rich and silky, marked by liquorice and plum: a characterful Minervois cuvee.
Tristan & Julien
AOP Minervois — red
A young, fruity and seductive wine, on immediate pleasure and conviviality.
IGP Coteaux de Peyriac
IGP - red, white, rosé range
A creative range: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Marselan, Viognier, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and rose, revealing the estate's diversity.
AOP Minervois, direct from the estate
The emblematic grapes of Minervois
The vineyard expresses all the richness of Minervois thanks to a varied grape mix. In red, Carignan, the historic grape, brings complexity and depth; Syrah, early and drought-resistant, gives fruity, elegant wines; Grenache reinforces the Languedoc identity; and Mourvedre, patient and demanding, offers concentration and ageing potential. In white, Maccabeu, Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Marsanne find in the cool soils an ideal balance between acidity and roundness; the old Maccabeu vines, over 70 years old, mark the premium cuvees such as Privilege Blanc.
A reference estate of Minervois
Combining family tradition, respect for the environment and exceptional wines, Château La Grave is recognised as a reference estate of Minervois. Successive generations have shaped this unique heritage, and the Terra Vitis commitment confirms the will to produce responsible wines, a reflection of all the richness of their terroir.
Why choose the Château La Grave wines?
A great Minervois terroir. 95 hectares (of which 45 in AOC Minervois) on the Balcons de l'Aude, between cool and arid lands.
A certified viticulture. Terra Vitis since the 2019 vintage: traceability, transparency and respect for nature.
Named, award-winning cuvees. Privilege, Expression (Gold at the 2025 CGA), O Marie, Tristan & Julien and the IGP Coteaux de Peyriac range.
Rare old vines. A Maccabeu over 70 years old, the signature of the estate's great whites.
Frequently asked questions about Château La Grave
Where is Château La Grave located?
In Badens (11800), in the Aude, at the heart of the Minervois and the Balcons de l'Aude terroir, a vast sunny amphitheatre overlooking the Canal du Midi. The estate spans 95 hectares, of which 45 in AOC Minervois.
Who runs the estate?
Jean-Francois Orosquette, heir to a family history where wine is passed down from generation to generation, between respect for the land and adaptation to modern techniques.
Is the estate certified?
Yes: Château La Grave is Terra Vitis certified, a label guaranteeing traceability, transparency and respect for nature. Since the 2019 vintage, all the estate's wines carry this label, in a sustainable-farming approach.
What is the Balcons de l'Aude terroir?
A vast sunny amphitheatre overlooking the Canal du Midi, swept alternately by the Cers (north wind) and the Marin (south wind): a balanced climate that limits diseases and frosts, on soils of pebbles, marls, clays and limestones.
What soils make up the estate?
Two main types: the cool northern lands (clay over sandstone banks), ideal for whites, and the arid lands covered in gravel, light and draining, suited to reds, notably Mourvedre.
Which grapes does the estate work with?
In red: Carignan (historic), Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. In white: Maccabeu (vines over 70 years old), Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Marsanne. The estate also grows IGP grapes (Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Marselan, Viognier, Sauvignon, Chardonnay).
What are the estate's cuvees?
In AOP Minervois: Privilege Rouge and Blanc, Expression Rouge, Blanc and Rose, O Marie and Tristan & Julien; and an IGP Coteaux de Peyriac range (red, white, rose).
What is the Privilege Blanc cuvee?
The premium white cuvee: vinified in oak barrels and carried by the old Maccabeu vines over 70 years old, it offers complexity, volume and finesse.
Have the wines won awards?
Yes: the Expression Rouge 2022 cuvee won a Gold medal at the 2025 Concours General Agricole, a recognition of the estate's precise, generous style.
What are the estate's viticultural practices?
A reasoned, respectful approach: pruning adapted to the grapes (Cordon de Royat, goblet or Guyot), soil decompaction in winter, mechanical weeding in summer and traditional tools favoured, to preserve biodiversity and soil health.
Which dishes to enjoy with these wines?
The Minervois reds (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre) accompany grilled meats, game and cheeses; the whites (Maccabeu, Vermentino) elevate fish and seafood; the rose enjoys aperitifs and summer cuisine.
Can you buy the Château La Grave wines directly?
Yes: the cuvees are available here, direct from the estate, carefully shipped across France and Europe.
Direct from the estate, AOP Minervois
Château La Grave - a 95-hectare estate (of which 45 in AOC Minervois) in Badens (Aude), run by Jean-Francois Orosquette, Terra Vitis certified. Balcons de l'Aude terroir.
Privilege Rouge and Blanc, Expression Rouge, Blanc and Rose, O Marie, Tristan & Julien and the IGP Coteaux de Peyriac range