"Discover Romain and Caroline Vigroux: Unique Winemakers Producing Distinctive Wines"

Meet Romain and Caroline Vigroux, two winemakers who stand out in their region by producing uniquely atypical wines.

"Born in the World of Wine, You Stay in It!"

Domaine d’Hondrat epitomizes the traditional vineyard. Established in 1891, it has been passed down through five generations of the same family. Romain has been at the helm of the estate for over fifteen years as a worthy successor. “When you’re born into the world of wine, you stay in it!” comments his wife, Caroline. Although Caroline did not come from a winemaking family, she was not immune to the “wine virus.” “Initially, I helped Romain with the estate whenever I had some free time. But I quickly felt the need to become more involved. It gradually became my profession and then my life,” Caroline recounts.

Domaine d’Hondrat: A Vineyard Like No Other

Located in the heart of the Bassin de Thau, Domaine d’Hondrat spans 80 hectares of vineyards. The vineyard is planted on clay-limestone and gravelly soil, with part of it classified as A.O.P Coteaux du Languedoc. Over the years, Romain and Caroline have expanded their wine range. Today, Domaine d’Hondrat produces four white wines, two rosé wines, and one red wine. “Our vines, located near the Thau Lagoon and the sea, produce wines with a pronounced iodized flavor, which is why we focus on rosé and white wines. This is an advantage for us as it allows us to stand out from local winemakers who primarily offer red wines,” the winemaking couple highlights.

Except for the red wine cuvée “Syrah,” Domaine d’Hondrat’s rosé wines are primarily blends of Grenache Gris and Mourvèdre—two grape varieties less commonly used in Languedoc compared to Grenache or Syrah, which are the region’s flagship varietals. “Our rosé wines tend more towards bitterness than sweetness, with a dominant citrus aromatic profile. For white wines, we chose Chardonnay and Viognier, mainly for their freshness,” Romain and Caroline explain.

Original Packaging for Distinctive Wines

The unique spirit of Domaine d’Hondrat’s wines is also reflected in their bottles. For example, the rosé wine cuvée “H” is presented in an opaque white bottle with either a flashy pink or white label. “The idea was to do some marketing by creating original packaging. However, we also offer our rosé in a transparent bottle to cater to those who prefer the classic format,” Caroline adds. The most original packaging innovation remains the “Elle & Lui” cuvée, served in a bottle originally used for Martinican rum…