When the Champarts moved to the Languedoc they knew nothing of winemaking. Today, their wines are some of themost sought-after in the region. Isabelle and Matthieu Champart, originally from Northern France, started from scratch with a run-down house surrounded by eight hectares of land and began selling grapes to the local cooperative. Gradually, they acquired more vineyards and built their own chais. Gaining huge acclaim since their first vintage in 1988, they have established a commendable reputation for meaty yet elegant wines with finesse and silky tannins. Their vineyards echo the complex geology of Saint- Chinian, from steeply sloped hillsides with argilocalcaire, through the unique Trias terroir to limestone and even fine clay and sandstone. Isabelle and Matthieu use organic products to treat the vines and soil wherever possible. Neither of these wines is filtered.