Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette farms terraced limestone parcels on the elevated Larzac position with Mediterranean grape varieties.
The producer
Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette works terraced limestone parcels on the elevated Larzac position, using organic and biodynamic techniques in the vineyard. Native yeast fermentation and wood ageing carry the fruit through the cellar. The range includes Les Clapas Blanc, Ze Rosé, Les Clapas Rouge, Le Pas de D, Le Grand Pas and Les Petits Pas. Mediterranean varieties meet Escalette minerality and freshness, while whole cluster Syrah gives Les Clapas Rouge its sappy character.
Known for
Terraced Larzac wines from limestone scree
Notable facts
The domaine farms twenty hectares divided among fifty separate terraced parcels.
Organic and biodynamic techniques are used in the vineyards.
Les Frieys is a 36 are terraced vineyard producing approximately 1500 bottles.
By October 2022, Zernott had completed twenty vintages at the domaine.
The story
The sons name Les Petits Pas
Jules and Gabriel, the two sons of Julien and Delphine Zernott, named the entry level red Les Petits Pas. The name refers to their footprints. The wine is marked by youth and freshness, and is accessible and convivial. The range also includes Les Clapas Blanc, Ze Rosé, Les Clapas Rouge, Le Pas de D and Le Grand Pas. Those bottles cover white, rosé and red styles, with white wine fermentation for Ze Rosé, whole cluster Syrah in Les Clapas Rouge, and Mediterranean blends in the other named wines.
From the atlas
Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette
Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette farms terraced limestone parcels on the elevated Larzac position, with native yeast fermentation and Mediterranean grape varieties.
At A Glance
Place
Elevated Larzac position
Farming
Organic and biodynamic techniques
Vineyard form
Terraced parcels on limestone scree
Cellar
Native yeast fermentation in oak casks
Range
White, rosé and red wines from Mediterranean grape varieties
The Producer
Organic and biodynamic techniques meet terraced limestone parcels at Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette. The domaine works with Mediterranean grape varieties and uses native yeast fermentation followed by malolactic fermentation and ageing in wood. The wines move across white, rosé and red styles, with each bottle shaped by a different combination of grape variety, fermentation and site.
The cellar uses 50hl oak casks for fermentation, while smaller wood casks hold the wines through malolactic fermentation and ageing. The élevage lasts about 10 months.
Place
Between the vines lies rocky limestone scree, the ground associated with the elevated Larzac position. The vineyards are terraced, with vines planted across stepped parcels rather than one continuous field. Escalette terroir brings minerality and freshness to the wines, linking the rocky ground to the character of the finished bottles.
Wines
Les Clapas Blanc combines white Carignan and Terret Bouchet with Grenache blanc and Grenache gris. It brings Mediterranean grape varieties together with the minerality and freshness of the Escalette terroir.
Ze Rosé is fermented like a white wine and is marked by crisp elegance and drinkability. Les Clapas Rouge is a mineral driven blend whose sappy character comes from whole cluster fermentation of Syrah.
Le Pas de D uses a two stage interpretation of an historic blend, with a lasagna style fermentation of Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault. The wine has Mediterranean vibrancy and gusto. Le Grand Pas is mainly Grenache, a field blend combining the delicacy of high altitude subsoil with the generosity of a sun trap terrace. Les Petits Pas is young and fresh, accessible and convivial.
Final Word
Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette joins elevated Larzac limestone scree with Mediterranean grape varieties, native yeast fermentation and distinct white, rosé and red wines. The range carries the site's minerality and freshness through several cellar methods and bottle styles.