Domaine Mâmârutá

Marc Castan

Languedoc

La Palme

Marc Castan grew up in a land where the mountains meet the sea, absorbing the rhythms of both landscapes from an early age. After completing his high school studies, he pursued winemaking and took over his grandfather’s vineyard. Initially working with the local cooperative, he established Domaine Mâmârutá in 2009. The estate spans 14 hectares in the Aude littoral within the AOC Fitou. The terroir is diverse, ranging from rolled pebbles near La Palme pond to limestone cliffs by the Mediterranean Sea. Vine training methods include 70% Gobelet, with the remainder in Guyot simple or Cordon de Royat. Yields are kept low, averaging between 16 and 20 hl/ha. Biodynamic practices are employed without formal certification, respecting life and biodiversity. Tree hedges border the vineyard, and plots are maintained by hand. Treatments are simple, utilizing sulfur, green clay, and plant decoctions such as chamomile, nettle, dandelion, lavender, or rosemary. In 2013, Marc introduced a small herd of five Highlands cattle, which has since expanded to include Highland, Jersey, and Auroch breeds. These cattle graze peacefully within the vines and around the La Palme pond, contributing to natural vineyard management.

Manual harvests commence as early as mid-August to preserve natural acidity, conducted only in the morning and using small boxes. Vinification is natural, with no additives during fermentation, often favoring carbonic maceration. Light punch-downs and pump-overs are employed for full-bodied wines. Most wines are aged in old barrels during winter, while fining and added sulfites are avoided except in select cuvées. In order to reduce the environmental impact from mechanical work, Marc chose a natural approach with his cattle: rustic breeds that require little maintenance, are calm, and help clear brush. Their natural compost nourishes the soil, and during the dry season they graze in the moors and lagoon areas. Calves are raised with their mothers until eight months, and they receive a supplement of homemade fodder, mainly alfalfa, though they have a weakness for olive leaves. In recent years, rising temperatures and drought have forced Marc to reduce the herd and have challenged grape yields, but he remains unwavering in his philosophy. His commitment to working cleanly, respecting both the land and the vines, ensures that each wine is a pure, authentic expression of its terroir.