Gard cooperative using organic vineyard work and spontaneous fermentation for Côtes du Rhône wines.
The producer
Les Vignerons d'Estezargues is a Gard cooperative founded in 1965. Three quarters of the vineyard area is certified organic, while the rest is converting or managed sustainably. The cellar has followed natural winemaking principles with spontaneous fermentation, no fining and no filtration. Nicq introduced separate estate bottling in 1989. Terre de Mistral Reserve Côtes du Rhône Organic is a red wine from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre.
Known for
Natural Côtes du Rhône wines
Notable facts
The cooperative was founded in 1965.
Three quarters of the vineyard area holds organic certification.
Terre de Mistral Reserve Côtes du Rhône Organic is made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre.
The story
Nicq changes the bottling
In 1989, Nicq broke with the cooperative's habit of blending all members' wines together. He chose to bottle each estate's production separately, so the cellar's labels could present individual estate wines instead of one collective blend. The change happened inside a cooperative founded to bring growers together, but the action was specific: Nicq kept each estate's production apart at bottling. Separate estate bottling became the practical form of that decision.
From the atlas
Les Vignerons d'Estezargues
A Gard cooperative joining organic vineyard work with spontaneous fermentation and estate by estate bottling.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Producer
Les Vignerons d'Estezargues
Region
Gard
Appellation
Côtes du Rhône
Grape varieties
Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre
Named wine
Terre de Mistral Reserve Côtes du Rhône Organic
Defining feature
Natural winemaking
The Producer
The cooperative cellar produces approximately 2 million bottles annually. Les Vignerons d'Estezargues was founded in 1965.
Three quarters of the vineyard area holds organic certification. The remaining parcels are in conversion or managed through sustainable practices. The cooperative combines this farming approach with wines made from member growers' vineyards.
Place
The vineyards therefore extend across multiple grower holdings, within a cooperative rather than a single estate.
Sand and stone make up the vineyard soil. The mistral wind also helps prevent disease naturally, reducing dependence on pesticide treatments across the vineyards.
Story
In 1989, Nicq changed how the cooperative bottled its wines. The cellar had traditionally blended the wines from all members. Nicq chose to bottle each estate's production separately, moving from one collective blend to estate by estate bottlings. The choice put each estate's production into its own bottle.
Wines
The named bottle is Terre de Mistral Reserve Côtes du Rhône Organic, a red Côtes du Rhône from the 2024 vintage. It is made from Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre, four grape varieties that give the wine its Rhône blend.
In The Glass
Terre de Mistral has a spicy profile, with blackberry and woodland raspberry alongside violet, black pepper, bay leaf and licorice. Dark fruit supplies the centre of the tasting profile, while floral, herbal and savoury notes fill out the aroma and palate.
A Bottle To Understand It
Terre de Mistral Reserve Côtes du Rhône Organic is the bottle to open first from this producer. Spontaneous fermentation keeps commercial yeast out of the cellar, while no fining or filtration leaves the wine in its natural state. Fermentation and skin maceration take place in steel tanks for approximately two weeks, followed by four to five months on lees. Lees ageing keeps wine in contact with spent yeast cells and can add breadth and savoury depth.
Final Word
Les Vignerons d'Estezargues is a Gard cooperative with separate estate bottling and natural winemaking across its member vineyards.