THE PDO VINEYARD OF MARCILLAC

An authentic wine, a land of character, a unique vine: the Mansois. A true pleasure for the epicureans!

    A vineyard of character

    The character and uniqueness of the Marcillac vineyard comes from the combining of different elements:

    • A colour-balanced land between red sandstones and limestone,
    • An optimal climate for vines planted at an average altitude of 450 m,
    • The “Mansois”, a unique vine adapted to this land,

    • The culture on terraces built on valley edges with sharp slopes,

    but also from the men and women, who worked with patience in the creation of these authentic wines.

      Marcillac WINE ROAD

      Follow the road signs to guide until the winegrowers’ cellar of the PDO Marcillac.

        Welcome to THE CELLARS of Marcillac

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        Around the vineyard: Traditions and Heritage

        The growing of vineyards in the Vallon de Marcillac has given identities to our traditions, culture and local built heritage.

        the tassou  or tasting cup

        A silver cup for wine tasting and traditionally carried inside the waist-coat gusset like was the gusset-watch or the liadou. The wine must be served coumoul (to the edge in Occitan)!
        The original tassou personalized by its owner has a silver coin in its centre. Its handle represents a snake to recall the legend of Foncourrieu (a chapel where the future harvest is blessed every year during the St-Bourrou): “In the early 14th century, a noble lady was crossing the field of Foncourrieu full of brambles and reptiles. Suddenly a huge snake with wings twisted around her legs. The Virgin Mary appeared to help her out and freed her from the grip. As a thankful note, the lady asked for a chapel dedicated to Mary to be built on the location”.
        Please note also: You will find the biggest Tassou of the world in Bruéjouls!

        The liadou  or binding tool (in Occitan)

        This working knife of the wine growers appeared during the 19th century and was used to bind the wood pruning in a crown. It is used to knot the stake rod with the help of a wicker. The year 2014 marks its rebirth. It is nowadays a high quality knife designed with character.

        The vineyard shacks

        Built in the heart of the vineyards, they are used for collecting rain water for sulphate work as they all have a water tank. They allow also the grower to put away its tools and find shelter for a short break. Nowadays they are still visible in the landscape where they are considered an emblematic element of our vernacular heritage.

        The slatted doors

        Doors made with slats of many crossed wood beams and extra inside reveals. They allow the temperature to remain constant and help in the air circulation (carbon dioxide extraction) necessary in the right preservation of the wine.

        The dry walls

        The vineyards plots are built on the sharp flanks of hills. Here, to fight erosion the wine growers built rows of terraces held by dry walls.

        The traditional basket or carrejadou

        A double basket positioned on a pillow made from a goat skin, held on the head with a strap and carried on the shoulders. It enabled workers to transport either the grapes during the harvest or manure to enrich the soils or even diverse materials like stones for the dry walls repairs.

        The fraternities

        Fraternities find their roots during Middle Age. The purpose of these communities is to favour the mutual aid and to maintain the traditions inside each trades corporation. The Marcillac wine fraternities are attached to the promotion of the wine and the local culture.
        Two fraternities operate in the heart of the vineyard: the Eschansonnerie de la Saint-Bourrou in Marcillac and the Chevaliers de la Dive Bouteille in Bruéjouls can be met during the Wine Festival.

        The song of the wine growers “Lo Saumancés”

        This traditional Occitan song is dedicated to the local vine, the Mansois (lo saumancés in Occitan). The wine growers sing it with ardour during the festivities, a way to express their love to their vine.
        « Lo saumancés […] aquò’s quicòm de dalicat […] una caressa que camina per l’estomac, lo vin de la tèrra salina de Marcilhac. » (“The mansois […] ‘tis something quite delicate […] a cuddle to the stomach, the wine of the salty hearth of Marcillac.”)

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          The festivities around the vineyard

          Share a friendly moment around the PDO wines of Marcillac during our festivals and key events.

          THE "Saint-Bourrou" IN Marcillac

          Whit Monday Festivities
          Whit Monday is the key moment for the wine growers who are going to the chapel of Foncourrieu in procession to celebrate the bourrou (the vine bud in Occitan) and to bless the future harvest. Wine tasting is part of the festivities as well as meeting with wine growers and the enthronement of new members into the fraternity “Eschansonnerie de la Saint-Bourrou”. A village festival is also held during the week-end.

          the wine fair of Marcillac

          On the Friday before August 15th
          A tasting gathering not to miss with wine growers of Marcillac, who invite you to discover their production and the identity of their wine!

          THE Wine Festivities of Bruéjouls

          On the 2nd Sunday of August
          Enjoy a relaxing time around vine and wine in music and shows, a festivity for all ages. A good spirit and shared pleasure time from breakfast to the depth of the night!

          THE MARKET OF Marcillac

          Every Sunday morning, all year round, and from Whit Sunday (Pentecôte) to All Saints Day (Toussaint), a wine tasting with one wine grower of Marcillac is possible on the regular market.

            Going further!