About us

Who are we?

My parents and I founded O’Vineyards in 2004 when we settled down in the Cabardes intent on crafting the perfect wines for those big, long lunches mom has always cooked. In so doing, we constantly strive to blend the best techniques and attitudes (and drinking habits) of the new world with the refinement, wisdom and character of the old world.

Ryan, Joe and Liz OConnell O'Vineyards

Ryan, Joe and Liz OConnell

The Search for the Perfect Vineyard

After a thorough search that ranged from the vines of the Loire Valley to the those of the Mediterranean coast, we found this area which allowed us to work with both the cepages of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean creating balanced, full wine experiences.

We found 17 hectares of 25-year old vines in exactly the proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah that we had looked for, and all we had to do after that was work like madmen.

The Methods

We pour over the vines, keep careful watch on the grapes, manually removed the haphazard, old trellis system and replaced it with a five wire system that supports the vines to grow far beyond the tops of the 2 meter galvanized posts.

The vines are tended to carefully and receive a great deal of care in the form of well-timed treatments, hand pruning, deleafing and a manual ebourgeonage. Between a reduced taille and hand-prunings, yields are kept exceptionally low.

Two separate wineries have been built on the premise, both allowing for all of the harvest work to be done by gravity. These buildings also serve to house the stainless steel egrappoir, sorting table, hydraulic elevating bin, hydraulic press, manual press and our oak barrels.

Our oak barrels

Our oak barrels

The oak barrels have been drawn from an array of the most recognized coopers in France so that their work and effect on the wine can be compared and tested. We have also procured barrels of American oak and French oak to taste the difference between these two products for ourselves and make educated decisions about the future of our winery.

The grapes are moved by gravity before undergoing a careful vinification complete with multiple daily manual pigeages and regular soutirages. Only a small portion of the best of the press juice gets mixed back into the production in order to maintain the outstanding purity of the product.

Awards

We are proud to have received a TripAdvisor® 2012 Certificate of Excellence award, TripAdvisor® 2013 Certificate of Excellence award and TripAdvisor® 2014 Certificate of Excellence award. We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive traveller reviews – take a look at our hundreds of TripAdvisor Wine Visit Reviews, TripAdvisor Dining Reviews and TripAdvisor B&B Reviews to see for yourself.

Become a part of O’Vineyards

All the wonderful guests who visit us make up the essence of what we’re all about – family, friends, food and wine. Become a part of the O’Vineyards family by coming along to one of our of our wine and dine experiences or staying with us at our boutique B&B. We hope you’ll become a friend for life.

Liz, Ryan, Joe and Muse (woof!) and our flagship wine, Proprietor's Reserve.

Liz, Ryan, Joe and Muse (woof!) and our flagship wine, Proprietor’s Reserve.

How to find us

Domaine O’Vineyards, located in the North Arrondissement of Carcassonne, is just minutes from the Carcassonne train station, the Medieval City, and the Carcassonne Airport.
GPS coordinates: 43.259622, 2.340387

O’Vineyards
Wine, Dine, Relax at our Boutique Vineyard
Unique thing to do in Carcassonne
Wine Cellar. Winery Visits. Wine Tasting.
Wine & Food Pairing

North Arrondissement of Carcassonne
885 Avenue de la Montagne Noire
11620 Villemoustaussou, France
Tel: +33(0) 630 189 910

  1. Best by GPS.
    Follow the signs to Mazamet/ Villemoustaussou using the D118. At the end of the last straight part of D118, you will come to a roundabout with the Dyneff gas station.
  2. Take the exit towards Pennautier. Continue 500m to a small roundabout and go straight over.
  3. Look out for the second road on your right, Avenue des Cévennes which curves up hill (about 1km) to Avenue de la Montagne Noire on the left.
  4. At the last juction, bear left. the road sign “Ave de la Montagne Noire” (confusing as it seems to show a right turn)
  5. After another 500m you will see our red brick color building in the middle of the vines.
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