Portraits of winemakers

LE DOMAINE PRÉS LASSES, MORE THAN JUST ORGANIC

Domaine Prés Lasses: Beyond Organic

Domaine Prés Lasses is the result of a recent yet rich family adventure. In 1999, Denis Feigel, an Alsatian oenologist, acquired ten hectares in the heart of the Faugères appellation to establish the estate. Convinced of the potential of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, he has since worked on expanding and improving the Domaine. Over the years, the vineyard has tripled in size and, with the help of his son Boris, has embraced organic farming, wine tourism, and many other innovative projects. Boris, known for his remarkable sensitivity, used to organize blind tastings of water as a child, distinguishing between them effortlessly. This sensitivity to taste extends to his commitment to environmental respect and his approach to winemaking. Thanks to his initiative, the vineyard is now cultivated organically, and Boris has no plans to stop there!

A Dynamic and Active Estate

When exploring the history of the Domaine, it is hard to believe that it was established only about twenty years ago. Rich in twists and turns, its history reflects the passion of Denis and the collaboration with the personality and convictions of his son Boris. Driven by the development of wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, particularly the Faugères appellation, this story was destined to grow. Year after year, the vineyard has expanded to over thirty hectares. In 2006, Boris joined the Domaine and persuaded his father to start the organic conversion in 2008.

In 2010, a new winery was inaugurated to enhance winemaking processes.

In 2013, Éric de Turckheim joined the venture, leading to the establishment of the Château Autignac in 2016, which offers exceptional lodgings and rooms, thus opening the Domaine to wine tourism.

Throughout these developments, the family has carefully tended to the estate's vines, some of which were planted as early as 1910—over a century ago.

A Unique Vision of Organic Farming

Boris was raised with values rooted in environmental respect. While the climate is particularly suited for this, and the transition to organic farming has been underway for several years, he does not stop there. Far from resting on his laurels or simply adhering to organic farming rules, Boris seeks to innovate and develop his vision of naturalness, going beyond organic standards. The use of products, even those permitted in organic farming, is minimized. He experiments with phytotherapy and is interested in vitiforestry (the addition of trees in the vineyard to provide shade for the vines). His most advanced initiative involves nurturing the soil and its microbiological life through appropriate cover crops. This attention to natural processes and his philosophy extend to winemaking. Sensitive to sulfur, he has not used it since 2013 and exclusively employs indigenous yeasts. Far from traditional oenology constraints, he does not view natural wines as an end in themselves. His unique personality, which rejects any label other than his own convictions and experiments, is reflected in his wines.