Domaine de Maouries

Winemaker Claire Dufau

Wine regions Madiran, Saint Mont, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh & Côtes de Gascogne, Sud-Ouest, France

The wines of Domaine de Maouries

Domaine de Maouries: fourth generation of winemakers from the Dufau family

Since 1907, the Dufau family has led this domain, with Claire now at the helm as winemaker. Domaine de Maouries has a rich history dating back to the 18th century. The domain has remained in the family for generations, and each generation has contributed to the development and refinement of our wine production. These deep historical roots are reflected in every sip of our wines, which are valued for their complexity and unique flavor profiles.

Domaine de Maouries distinguishes itself not only by its rich family history but also by its commitment to sustainable viticulture. Since 2019, the domain has been certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) and is in transition to organic. No chemical pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or herbicides are used, while preserving original biodiversity: more than half of the land consists of grasslands, hedgerows, and water features.

Madiran, Saint Mont, Côtes de Gascogne & Pacherenc de Vic Bilh

Domaine de Maouries has a very favorable location. The wine domain is close to the border of three important AOPs. This allows winemaker Claire to produce wine in various AOC/AOPs (certified wine regions). These are IGP Côtes de Gascogne, AOP Madiran, AOP Saint Mont, and AOP Pacherenc du Vic Bilh. By spreading the vineyards across multiple terroirs instead of concentrating them in one plot of land, Domaine de Maouries creates a natural buffer against climate risks. At the same time, it provides the opportunity to blend with precision every year, or to choose a wine from one specific origin. The richness of the vineyards is thus the basis of the expressive, pure style that characterizes the domain.

The vineyards of Domaine de Maouries

The vineyards of Domaine de Maouries are spread across no fewer than 25 different plots in the southern part of the French Sud-Ouest. They are located around the villages of Labarthète, Viella, and Lannux. In total, the domain covers about 28 hectares of vineyards. This spread is no coincidence: each plot has its own soil type, microclimate, and orientation. This allows Claire to choose the ideal spot for each grape variety. The soil types vary from calcareous clay soils on slopes to sandy loam and rounded pebbles on flatter terrain. Thanks to this soil diversity, the wines from different AOCs can each show their own character.

The slopes in Labarthète provide natural drainage and plenty of sun. This is ideal for the ripening of Tannat and Cabernet Franc, which are used for the powerful Madiran wines. In Viella, the soils are rich in gravel and lighter in structure, producing lively, fruity wines, such as the Côtes de Gascogne and some Saint-Mont cuvées. In the slightly cooler Lannux, the grapes for white wines, such as Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu, benefit from cool nights and slow ripening. All these plots are managed sustainably: without chemicals and with attention to biodiversity.