Located just 15 km north of Carcassonne in the Aude in the sunny south of France and in the heart of the Minervois, the wine castle Chateau la Villatade offers you peace, relaxation and the authenticity of a Languedoc castle. Nestled on the hills, surrounded by vineyards and fields of olive trees, the building, built around a beautiful square courtyard, stands out as a place of warm hospitality and conviviality. The interior decoration emphasizes the spirit and authenticity of the place with its exposed beams, floor tiles and lime paint.
Chateau La Villatade offers cottages and rooms while maintaining the privacy of each accommodation. With 120 hectares of wild landscapes you have the choice between many walks or bike rides (the GR 36 passes along part of the domain), through fields and garrigue. An address with charming chambres d´hôtes that you should not miss on the Languedoc wine route to relax with family or friends.
The accommodation
Chateau la Villatade offers spacious and comfortable lodgings and rooms, ideal for moments of pure happiness with family or friends with a good bottle of wine from the estate. Chateau La Villatade has 5 lodgings and rooms for a maximum capacity of 27 people. Equipped with the most important basic equipment such as a fully equipped kitchen, a private bathroom, toilet, terrace and a beautiful view to the outside. The accommodation has been restored respecting the authenticity of the place: beamed ceiling, tiles, lime paint are preserved as much as possible. It is possible to rent all available accommodations for up to 30 people.
In terms of facilities, Chateau la Villatade has all the basic comfort for a successful wine tasting. In the warmth of the south you can cool down or swim in beautiful clear water in a former water reservoir that has now been converted into a 26-meter natural swimming pool. The stone basin is surrounded by plots with vineyards and an olive grove. In addition, there is a beautiful large lawn with ash, plane trees and pear trees that provide wonderfully cooling shade. This space is 100 meters from the houses. It is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the tranquility of the landscape. For hikers, La Villatade offers many walks or bike rides, with the GR 36 running through the area.
It is an ideal place to relax, bathe, hike the Cathar trails and visit the many cultural attractions of the region. The Cathar country and its castles and villages await you and will amaze young and old. You can discover all the cultural and historical richness of this beautiful region. La Villatade is centrally located just 15 kilometers from beautiful Unesco World Heritage sites such as the city of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi with its fascinating locks. There are many cultural and historical sites to visit:
– The city of Carcassonne,
– The Canal du Midi and the locks
– The castles of Lastours (5 Km),
– The cave of Cabrespine (10 Km),
– the Limousis cave (5 km),
– Caunes Minervois and its abbey,
– Minerva, located on a rock and isolated by two gorges, (36 km)
– Montolieu, the village of books and graphic arts. (33 km)
The beaches of Narbonne and the Abbey of Fontfroide are 45 km away, Lagrasse, one of the most beautiful villages in France, with its Benedictine abbey 40 km away. The Black Mountain is also worth a visit with its beautiful villages such as Aragon, Roquefère, Pradelles and its lake, a place of freshness in the summer. It is a region that is still wild and has been preserved by mass tourism. The Aude is one of the French departments with the largest number of ‘star’ restaurants.
The winery
Land of passion and history, Chateau la Villatade is primarily a wine estate, producer in the Minervois appellation. The Chateau La Villatade is often a medalist and has a large number of cuvées … Wines that are mainly the expression of the beautiful terroir in which it is made. La Villatade is situated in an exceptional location with slate hills, marl and limestone at the foot of the Montagne Noire, whose pine, oak and beech forests inspired the name of their great Grands Minervois, Côtes Noires and Côtes Noires Réserve, both gold medals at Gilbert & Gaillard.
“Côtes Noires” 2016 (AOP MINERVOIS)
This cuvée from a selection of Syrah and Grenache, grape varieties that go perfectly with the Côtes Noires terroir, develops intense aromas of red and black fruits, with spicy notes, to finish with a slightly minty touch. Full on the palate, it is a dense, round, fruity and balanced wine. Taste at 16 ° C with red meat, game or mature cheeses.
“Côtes Noires – Réserve” 2016 (AOP MINERVOIS)
The limited yields and harmonious aging give this mix of Syrah and Grenache sophistication, elegance and complexity. Under a gorgeous garnet red robe, the nose is explosive, with a subtle balance of red and black fruit aromas highlighted by spices and undergrowth notes. A very nice powerful and robust Minervois, a fruity mouth, a great sweetness of well-balanced tannins.
The offer also includes the Villatade “V” trilogy (IGP Pays d’Oc) with a Rosé, White and Red. The ‘V’ Rosé was also selected by the Hachette Guide 2019 and received a star; He also won the gold medal at Gilbert & Gaillard.
And finally, the 100% Syrah, “Le Vin De Sophie” (IGP Pays d’Oc), of the well-known “Paradise” plots, is a delicious, fruity wine that is distinguished by its seductive character that reveals aromas of red fruit with a very silky finish.