Ekaterina de Casanove is both vigneronne and owner of Domaine de Cassagnas, an 8 hectare vineyard and forestry estate at the foot of the Cévennes, a little known appellation around 150km north of Montpellier. Originally from Moldova, Ekaterina and her husband took over the land in 2020 and planted a total of 13 different grape varieties. 

Her project has two focuses; environmental sustainability and creativity. Following the the concept of vitiforestry, rows of vines and rows of olive and oak trees alternate, creating ecological corridors covered with melliferous flowers. Beehives and nesting boxes complete the pollination cycle. Varieties such as Assyrtiko, Saperavi, Neilluccio and Vermentino have been planted for their suitability to the climate and soils, along with regional classics such as Grenache, Syrah, and even Marselan. All vines are planted as bush vines on acacia stakes, the estate is farmed organically and the wines are made naturally, which is to say they are all organic, hand harvested, wild fermented, unadjusted, unfiltered, unfined. 

100% Marselan from clay and limestone soils. Hand harvested, 7 days maceration in stainless steel, pressed and then wild fermented and matured in stainless steel too. Organic, wild fermented, unfiltered, unfined, minimal sulphites added at bottling. Marselan is a rare indigenous grape variety which is a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache  – it seems very well suited to Cévennes and Ekaterina’s winemaking – rich, plush, dense, dark; great full-bodied red drinking.