A renowned winery in the South of France, Château Puech Haut has become synonymous with the resurgence and transformation of the Languedoc in recent years. Once known for producing large quantities of low-quality ‘bulk wine’, the region has undergone somewhat of a renaissance period and is now home to some of Southern France’s top producers – Puech Haut included.
The History of Château Puech Haut
Compared with other French wine estates, the history of Château Puech Haut is fairly short, but is a great example of one man’s commitment to growing vines in an area that was once somewhat lacking in quality wine production. In 1981 Gérard Bru, a businessman with a passion for a glass of the good stuff, purchased a 17th century farmhouse near the town of Saint-Drézéry in the Languedoc. Despite the land consisting of mostly shrubland and olive trees, Bru’s vision was to transform the farm into a winemaking estate. Heavy investment was required in order to plant the vineyards, purchase cellar equipment, and modernize the buildings, but Bru’s commitment to quality and innovation played a crucial role in the development of Château Puech Haut and its legacy of outstanding quality wines.
The Vineyards
Benefitting from a sunny Mediterranean climate, marked by warm days and cool nights, the vineyards of Château Puech Haut cover a whopping 100-hectares of diverse terroir in the Languedoc. Such a large vineyard area allows for a multitude of grape varieties to grow on a wide range of soil types, from chalky clay to limestone. The vineyards are planted with both red and white varieties including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, and they follow organic farming practices to ensure not only that the wines produced are exquisite, but that they are also made sustainably.
The Wines
From 100-hectares of vineyard, Château Puech Haut produces a spectrum of red, white, and rosé wines at various price points. At the top end, their Clos du Pic Saint-Drézéry (currently in our Autumn sale) is an elegant and juicy combination of traditional blending partners Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre – it has delicious notes of raspberry, blackcurrant, and spice which leap from the glass. Their premium Tête de Bélier range offers top quality at an excellent price and features a red, rosé, and a lovely full-bodied white blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier – a wine marked by notes of white peach, honeyed orange, and white pepper. Their flagship Prestige range, consists of one white and one red, whilst their Argali wines, featuring a red, a white and a rosé – that happens to be one of our best-selling wines – are bottled in stylish, flat-sided glass that would be the ultimate showstopper at any lunch or dinner party.
Artistic Flair
Puech Haut is not solely about the wines though; it is also an artistic endeavour. Gérard Bru’s passion for art is evident throughout the estate. From sculptures to paintings and colourful wine barrels designed by both local and international artists, the château is embellished with contemporary artworks. The estate is frequently host to cultural events, art exhibitions and concerts, making it a unique place for both wine and art enthusiasts to visit. The Argali bottles too, with their unique shape, make each bottle a piece of art – inside and out.
Final Thoughts on Château Puech Haut
Far more than just a wine estate, Château Puech Haut represents passion, dedication, and a new era of wine production in the Languedoc. The wines encapsulate the terroir perfectly and for that, we must thank Gérard Bru for his vision and relentless pursuit of quality in a region that is now thriving because of producers like him.
If you are interested in trying some of the fabulous wines from Château Puech Haut, check out our full offering here – and if you are curious about other Languedoc producers, you can browse our entire range of wines here.
