DOMAINE SARRABELLE

Domaine Sarrabelle: Between Legend, Terroir, and Winemaking Excellence Since 1795

A Family Story Rooted in Legend. Since 1795, Domaine Sarrabelle, located near the medieval castle of Montaigut, has embodied a centuries-old winemaking tradition. The name “Sarrabelle,” from the Occitan sarro-bello – “to hold one’s beloved in one’s arms” – originates from a romantic legend about the secret meetings of the beautiful Yolande by the spring that bears the same name.

The castle, partly destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade, still preserves its foundations, upon which the Montaigut chapel was built. This historical heritage gives the estate a unique dimension, blending memory, culture, and terroir.

The 8th Generation Dedicated to Excellence

Today, Laurent and Fabien Caussé, the 8th generation of winemakers, carry on this ancestral know-how. Through their wines, they pay tribute to the spring and to tradition while shaping a vision for the future.

Domaine Sarrabelle offers:

• Traditional wines reflecting the Gaillac terroir,
• Prestige cuvées such as Saint André or the Mauzac de Sarrabelle,
• A rare sweet wine in limited edition, served at prestigious tables.

Tradition and Innovation: The Signature of the Caussé Brothers

While respect for heritage guides their work, the Caussé brothers also embrace innovation. The use of amphorae for aging certain cuvées illustrates this approach: thanks to the natural micro-oxygenation of baked clay, the wines gain complexity and roundness while fully expressing the terroir’s subtle aromas.

This method, combined with modern winemaking, produces balanced, powerful, and elegant wines.

Gaillac, a Millennia-Old Vineyard

The Gaillac region is one of the oldest vineyards in France. As early as Antiquity, the Phoenicians introduced vines here, followed by the Romans, who exported wines in amphorae via the Tarn River. In the Middle Ages, the Benedictine monks of Saint-Michel Abbey revived the vineyard, drafting one of the earliest viticultural charters almost eight centuries before the AOC system.

This long history explains the richness and diversity of grape varieties cultivated today.

Grape Varieties and Terroirs of Domaine Sarrabelle

The estate grows 4 white varieties (Mauzac, Loin de l’Œil, Muscadelle, and Chardonnay) and 6 red varieties (Braucol, Duras, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gamay).

The south/southeast-facing sandstone slopes give the wines a distinctive minerality, while the clay-sandy and gravelly plains at the foot of the hills ensure optimal grape ripeness. The diversity of climatic influences (oceanic, continental, and Mediterranean) further enhances the aromatic complexity of the cuvées.

Flagship Cuvées of Domaine Sarrabelle

• In Vinum 2017 – 99% Braucol, 1% Duras, aged in amphora
• Saint André 2023 – 100% Braucol
• Syrah 2023 – 100% Syrah on clay-sandy soils
• Assemblage 2023 – 45% Syrah, 30% Braucol, 15% Duras, 10% Merlot
• Gaillac Rosé 2024 – 80% Duras, 15% Syrah, 5% Braucol
• Chardonnay 2024 – 100% Chardonnay, mineral and elegant
• Mauzac 2023 – 100% Mauzac (white and rosé)
• Gaillac Sweet White 2024 – Mauzac, Loin de l’Œil, Muscadelle
• Gaillac Dry White 2024 – balance between freshness and liveliness
• Dry Muscat 2024 – 100% Muscat petits grains, aromatic and floral
• Belles Bulles Blanches – 100% Mauzac, fine and elegant bubbles
• Belles Bulles Rosées – 50% Syrah, 50% Duras, gourmet effervescence

Strong Values: Tradition, Quality, and Respect for Terroir

Domaine Sarrabelle carries the “Vigneron Indépendant” label, a guarantee of traceability and quality: grapes are grown, vinified, aged, bottled, and sold directly at the estate. Laurent and Fabien are committed to preserving biodiversity and passing down unique know-how that combines authenticity and modernity.

And you, would you be tempted to discover the authenticity of Gaillac grape varieties through an amphora-aged cuvée or an elegant sparkling wine from Domaine Sarrabelle?