The Place

A complete compendium of history lies on the vineyard's doorstep: the spectacular medieval walled city of Carcassonne and the famous Canal du Midi (both World Heritage sites) are both just 20 minutes away. The landscape is an unspoilt rural harmony of vineyards jostling with fields of sunflowers and fruit trees, in the sight of the snow-capped Pyrenees.

Château Rives-Blanques is named after one of the white peaks dominating its horizon.

The region resonates with the magic and the mystery of Cathar castles, Roman ruins and medieval monasteries. But there is also white-water rafting, thermal spas, pony trekking, fishing, golf, skiing, and a host of other outdoor activities within a one hour radius of the vineyard.

Languedoc Roussillon is France's oldest, biggest and most exciting wine producing region, attracting investors from all parts of the world as well as important wine producers from the rest of France. The Greeks were making wine here 3000 years ago, followed by the Romans and then by the monks. At the heart of all the great wines here, is the soul of a great wine-making monastery - and that is why we say a little prayer of thanks to the16th century Benedictines in Limoux, who were the first in the world to bless their wine with beautiful bubbles. To this very day, Blanquette de Limoux is made only in the vicinity of the Abbey of Saint Hilaire, from a grape of the Renaissance called Mauzac.