Our Portfolio Director, Celia, discovered Guilhem and Hugo in the “New Wave” section of the Wine Paris Expo. With over 4,000 exhibitors, it would’ve been easy to taste their wines and keep moving—but one sip changed everything. She knew instantly: she’d be telling everyone about these talented brothers and their stunning wines from the Languedoc.

Guilhem and Hugo’s story begins over a century ago, when their ancestors left the highlands of Aubrac for Montferrier-sur-Lez, settling as farm workers near the extinct volcano Mont Ferrier. In 1905, after the phylloxera crisis, Lucien Fraysse planted the family’s first vines. For generations, the Fraysse family expanded their vineyard holdings while living off the land. In 1991, Philippe Fraysse took a leap, acquiring the historic Saint Christol vineyard in eastern Hérault. He founded Domaine des Bartavelles with the dream of crafting wines that honored the terroir—but his plans were put on hold in the early 2000s.

In 2020, Guilhem and Hugo took the reins. Committed to organic farming and ecological responsibility, they farm their 10 hectares organically with extra care—no herbicides, no chemical fertilizers, only native yeasts. They’ve gone further, ensuring all their suppliers are eco-conscious too. “Fighting climate change,” they say, “is a collective effort.”

Their vineyards span two distinct terroirs: Saint Christol and the Lez Valley. Saint Christol lies at the intersection of the Rhône, Languedoc, Cévennes, and Mediterranean zones, creating a climate with strong temperature shifts between day and night. This, along with its red and yellow marl soils, gives the wines depth, structure, and complexity. The Lez Valley, closer to Montpellier, offers cooler conditions shaped by the nearby Lez River. Here, soils range from clay-limestone to yellow marl and even tufa—similar to those in the Loire. These plots produce wines with remarkable freshness and energy, particularly in the whites.

Guilhem and Hugo have big dreams for the future. They plan to diversify their farming by producing olive oil from their father’s olive groves, and offering seasonal products like asparagus and strawberries in the spring, wheat flour after the summer harvest, and handmade items like pasta and jam in the winter. It’s all part of their commitment to reviving mixed farming—a practice that supports biodiversity and keeps their land thriving. They also hope to restore a historic building on their property, dating back to the French Revolution. Once used for silk production, they envision it as a welcoming space for events and guests—a way to share their heritage and hospitality with others.

Rooted in tradition, guided by nature, and full of promise, Guilhem and Hugo are carrying their family legacy forward, one beautiful bottle at a time. We’re honored to share their wines with you and be part of their inspiring journey.