Facing Fire and the Future: A Summer of Resilience in the Languedoc Vineyards

As summer stretches on in the Languedoc, what should be a time of hopeful anticipation as harvest nears has instead brought heartbreak and urgency.

Just weeks after the destructive wildfires of July 2025, new blazes have erupted—this time closer to home. Fires ignited on August 5th have burned across the Corbières hills and stretching as far west as the outskirts of Béziers, near Château Cazal Viel.

Fanned by the dry and gusty Tramontane wind—normally our ally in keeping vineyards healthy—the fires have scorched over 17,000 hectares of land across the Aude département. Entire communities have been forced to evacuate, and many homes and livelihoods have been lost. At least one life has tragically been lost and multiple injuries have been reported, including among the brave firefighters on the front lines.

At our domaines, we’ve been fortunate. The winds are blowing the flames away from us—for now. But we are acutely aware of how easily that luck could have changed. Our thoughts are with the farmers, vintners, and residents directly affected. We are humbled, grateful, and deeply concerned.

As we approach harvest, this normally joyful season is now also one of vigilance and emotional weight. This year has already tested us:

• Record-breaking heat with temperatures reaching over 42°C in late June and early July

• Unseasonably cool weather in late July early August

Still, our vines have responded. Ripening has continued well since the worst of the heat subsided. As always, no two years are ever the same—but the climate is undeniably becoming less predictable. Now more than ever, our commitment to regenerative viticulture feels urgent. Through sustainable practices—enhancing soil biodiversity, increasing carbon absorption, and building resilience into our vineyards—we aim to adapt and protect what we steward.

Healthy soil retains water better, regulates temperature more effectively, and supports a deeper balance with nature. This isn’t just about quality wine; it’s about the future of farming and living in this region.

We offer our heartfelt support to our fellow winemakers, farmers, and communities across the Aude, Corbières, and Hérault. We also want to thank our clients, friends, and community for the concern and messages of solidarity.

We will share more on the harvest in the coming weeks. Despite the challenges, we remain optimistic and hopeful—rooted in the strength of our team, our vines, and our land.

“We’ve always known that making wine is about listening. To the land, the climate, the people around us. This summer is asking us to listen harder—to adjust, to protect, and to think long-term. The vines will endure. But so must our care for the land that gives them life.” – Laurent Miquel