DOMAINE DU CRES RICARD - DOMAINES PAUL MAS

Château des Crès Ricards – The natural power of the Terrasses du Larzac

At the foot of Mont Baudile, where the Larzac plateau begins to dialogue with the Mediterranean, Château des Crès Ricards stands out as one of the most emblematic terroirs of the Terrasses du Larzac. Here, vines grow on striking red soils covered with rounded pebbles, within an open, luminous and deeply mineral landscape.

A visionary terroir, recognised ahead of its time

Founded in 1960 on the site known as “Les Crès Ricards”, the estate takes its name from the Occitan word crès, referring to land where rock rises to the surface. Located in Ceyras, just 32 kilometres from the sea, the vineyard lies at the heart of the delta formed by the Hérault River and the Lergue.

As early as 2010, Jean-Claude Mas identified the exceptional potential of this terroir, well before the official recognition of the Terrasses du Larzac appellation. He first acquired 27 hectares, expanded to 42 hectares in 2013, convinced that this land could produce great wines of southern France.

Exceptional soils, a source of balance

The free-draining clay-limestone soils, rich in rounded pebbles, schist and trace elements, provide optimal natural drainage, even at depth. The vines benefit from regular water supply, encouraging slow and even ripening.

This natural balance is clearly reflected in the wines: solid structure, preserved freshness and precise aromatic expression, hallmarks of the finest Larzac terroirs.

Controlled and responsible viticulture

The vineyard is managed using sustainable farming practices, certified Terra Vitis, with deliberately limited yields of around 40 hl/ha. A planting density of approximately 5,200 vines per hectare allows each vine to fully express the terroir.

Harvesting is mostly carried out by hand to ensure careful grape selection. Pruning is done using the Cordon de Royat method, providing a lasting balance between vine vigour and fruit quality.

Winemaking in the service of fruit and terroir

The estate’s cuvées — Oenothera, Stécia and Alexaume — are crafted from emblematic southern grape varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Alicante.

Winemaking combines traditional and carbonic macerations to preserve fruit purity and generosity. Ageing takes place in concrete tanks, stainless steel vats or French and American oak barrels, refining the wines without masking their origin.

The pure expression of the Terrasses du Larzac

The wines of Château des Crès Ricards are generous, balanced and deep. They reflect the power of the Mediterranean climate, tempered by altitude and the cool nights of the Larzac. Wines of character, approachable in their youth, yet capable of gaining complexity and depth over time.

Why do Terrasses du Larzac wines offer such a balance of power and freshness ?

Terrasses du Larzac wines, such as those from Château des Crès Ricards, stand out for their natural balance between power, freshness and aromatic intensity. Free-draining soils, altitude, significant diurnal temperature variation and controlled yields combine to produce wines that are structured yet never heavy, offering precision, elegance and strong ageing potential.