Vineyards, Grape Varieties and Winegrowers
The Saint Mont vineyards: a balcony overlooking the Adour
The southern boundary of the vineyards of Saint Mont extends from the Madiran vineyards and stretches northwards as far as the limits of the Côtes de Gascogne. This terroir of the Pyrenean foothills occupies an intermediate position between Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées. Here, along both banks of the Adour, the vines follow the contours of hills gently shaped by the river descending from the Pyrenees, whose flow helps regulate the local oceanic climate.
The southern boundary of the vineyards of Saint Mont extends from the Madiran vineyards and stretches northwards as far as the limits of the Côtes de Gascogne. This terroir of the Pyrenean foothills occupies an intermediate position between Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées. Here, along both banks of the Adour, the vines follow the contours of hills gently shaped by the river descending from the Pyrenees, whose flow helps regulate the local oceanic climate.
Grape varieties: between innovation and tradition
The identity of Saint Mont is built on a structured hierarchy and a sustained drive for innovation. Tannat remains the dominant grape variety in red wines. Forming the backbone of the blends, it is often combined with Pinenc — the local name for Fer Servadou — as well as with Cabernet varieties. For whites, Gros Manseng takes the lead, supported by Arrufiac and Petit Courbu. However, the distinctiveness of the appellation also lies in the integration of grape varieties of interest, stemming from the ampelographic research carried out by the cellar of Plaimont. Among these are Manseng Noir, Tardif and Sauvignon Blanc, true relics of the past that have been brought back into favour.
This preservation of heritage is supported by the collective spirit of the winegrowers. The majority of growers deliver their harvested grapes to the wineries of Plaimont. This major player invests heavily in research and development dedicated to forgotten grape varieties, offering the terroir of Saint Mont a stylistic signature not found in Madiran or Côtes de Gascogne. In addition to classic varieties such as Merlot or Cabernet, these indigenous grape varieties lend exceptional historical and genetic depth to the appellation.
Wines: a strong gastronomic vocation
The sensory profile of Saint Mont wines is defined by a duality that reconciles power and freshness. Red wines display the characteristic intensity of Southwest France wines, yet with a finer, more rounded tannic structure than their neighbour, Madiran. Saint Mont rosé wines are distinguished by a unique blending technique: the incorporation of white secondary grape varieties, such as Petit Manseng, Arrufiac or Petit Courbu. This practice, inherited from local traditions, gives the wines a luminous colour and a vibrant aromatic tension that enhances the structure of the red grape varieties.
White wines of Saint Mont occupy a distinctive place: they combine the aromatic intensity of Côtes de Gascogne with the fresh, expressive profiles of Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh. They stand out for their clearly gastronomic style, marked by a saline structure and strong ageing potential. These wines, reflecting a winegrowers’ commitment to excellence, assert themselves as ambassadors of an authentic Gascony, capable of combining the preservation of old vines with a contemporary vision of oenology.
The Sarragachies vineyard: forgotten grape varieties
The oldest known grape varieties in France are found in the vineyards of Saint Mont. They are preserved in the Sarragachies vine, also known as the Vineyard at Ferme Pédebernade, which was listed as a Historic Monument in 2012. It includes Tannat, Morrastel, Fer Servadou, Miousap and Camaraou Noir, as well as seven other entirely unknown varieties. Native to the foothills of the Pyrenees, these vines, which withstood the phylloxera crisis, now constitute an exceptional genetic heritage.
FAQ: distinctive features of the Saint Mont PDO
This is a plot of pre-phylloxera vines, known as ungrafted vines because they have not been grafted. It is listed as a Historic Monument. It stands as a genetic repository unique in the world, preserving ancestral grape varieties—some possibly dating back to the Middle Ages—as well as unidentified varieties.
Unlike many appellations, Saint Mont rosé wines may incorporate accessory grape varieties into their base of Tannat and Pinenc. White local varieties such as Petit Manseng, Arrufiac and Petit Courbu are used. This practice brings aromatic freshness and a refined, gastronomic elegance.
The Plaimont cooperative promotes old grape varieties rescued from oblivion, such as Manseng Noir, Tardif and Sauvignon Blanc. These grape varieties contribute to the identity of the terroir alongside Tannat, as well as Gros and Petit Manseng.
Plaimont and its vineyards: a wine tourism destination
