The Domaine Gardies vineyards nestle in the foothills of Corbires, where the black schists combine with the limestone of the scrubland and impart the soil with its characteristic finesse. The Grenache and Carignan old vines are situated against the cliffs, opening out on clay and limestone soil, which imbues the wines with elegance. The climate is Mediterranean, with the hot, arid summers encouraging the vines to struggle and send their roots deep into the soil in search of nutrients, resulting in complex wines. The low-yielding vines produce 30hl/ha. The region is characterised by the eight different types of wind which blow across the wine-growing area. One day out of three, the mighty Tramontane, a dominating northerly wind, sweeps through the region. These drying winds help keep vineyards healthy, reducing the need for pest control or other human intervention. Domaine Gardies is certified organic, the vines are hand-harvested, and biodiversity in the vineyard is encouraged.