While many dream of owning their own sun-drenched French vineyard, coaxing artisan wines from gnarled vines, the reality is that for most, the expense, time and expertise required to realise the dream puts it well beyond practical reach. However, the restoration of an abandoned winery deep in the heart of the Languedoc offers wine lovers an opportunity to make this dream a reality.

Chateau Les Carrasses is a picture perfect South of France domaine – a turreted chateau nestled amongst rolling vineyards fringed with cypress and olive groves. While inhabited until fairly recently, the last bottling at the estate took place in 1988, after which the vines were sold off and the winery abandoned. Today the domaine is being restored by specialist developers Domaine & Demeure as an elegant and intimate development with a flourishing winery producing boutique wines as its centrepiece.

Around courtyards linked by a central avenue planted with plane trees, are the buildings traditionally found on a large wine domaine including the chateau, blacksmith’s house, estate cottages and stables amongst other period outbuildings. These are being converted into just 28 houses and apartments, making the most of their inherent volumes and textures – stone facades, exposed beams, extra-high ceilings and spectacular views. Each property will feature private wine cellaring, stocked with a complimentary selection of wines from the estate and the region upon first arrival.

As it was in its heyday, the winery will be at the heart of this rejuvenated community. Under the careful eye of local negociant/oenologue David Alcaraz, selected vines are being reassembled and the winery being brought back into operation, drawing on the best of both modern and traditional winemaking techniques. The objective is to produce quality wines that are both attractive to the discerning international palate while demonstrably reflecting the local terroirs.