Château
LE THOU
AN ELEGANT DOMAINE
“The wines of Château Le Thou were served at the table of Napoléon 1st.”
explains Patricia Valéry by way of introduction.
The wines are
refined and ge
complex,
nerous, with an
aromatic persi
stence
GLOSSARY
INAO.
Institut National des Appellations d’Origine
(National Institute for the Protected Designation
of Origins).
Lutte raisonnée.
Low-input methods – a moderate use of chemi-
cal treatments to better respect
the environment and the vines.
Even if, for 4 generations, the Valéry fa-
mily has operated vineyards on several do-
maines, with different terroirs, all producing
very good wines, it is the Château Le Thou,
with a history dating back to Roman times
that receives special attention.
“We produce the great AOC Coteaux de Lan-
guedoc wines here”, made from traditional
varieties, grown on terraces overlooking
the sea in an exceptional terroir. The vin-
tages from this terroir are candidates for
the “Fonseranes” appellation and are cur-
rently being certified by the INAO.
As precursors, the protection of the envi-
ronment has always been a concern for the
Valérys. In fact, they have implemented “la
lutte raisonnée”, or sustainable control
methods, since 1980 and the entire es-
tate is currently gaining classification as
a “High Environmental Value business”.
Laurent, who currently holds the reins of
the Valéry company, wants to transition to
organic agriculture in the future.
The family’s favourite vintage is the “Sy-
rahcuse”, the Château’s very high-quality
red wine, with only 1500 numbered bott-
les. This is why the label takes the shape
of this shell and is called Syrahcus.
Everything has a meaning here and every-
thing tends to elegance and refinement. The
passion for wine is such that they would
not consider presenting it in anything but
high-quality bottles, such as the “Or Série”
range, a white and rosé AOC. ”All our wines
have identities, are original and result from
30
the craftsmanship of a family-run domaine”.
Always original, the Valéry family even
produces, on another domaine, a wine na-
med “Vendanges Oubliées” or “Forgotten
Harvests” using grapes left at the foot of
the vines after the harvest and picked late
in December-January. “We take what Na-
ture leaves us”.
At the Domaine des Deux Ruisseaux in Sau-
vian, you’ll find the winery shop, an exhi-
bition space with paintings, photographs
and sculptures by well-known artists.
Introductory tasting workshops are of-
fered, hosted by a sommelier who will
advise you on wine and food pairing. Vi-
sits from the cellar to the blending cellar
always finish with a tasting, as do the vi-
neyard excursions.
As for festive evenings, they are orga-
nised around the domaine’s wines during
the fine season will carry you far from the
Château le Thou vineyards, with food truc-
ks serving food from around the world.
SCEA VALÉRY - ROUTE DE BÉZIERS - 34410 SAUVIAN
04 99 41 02 74 - chateaulethou.com
DOMAINE DES DEUX RUISSEAUX
Winery shop open every day and year round.