Extrême

Château Martinolles is a family-run estate in Saint-Hilaire, near Limoux, now owned by Jean-Claude Mas, who acquired it in 2011 after the Vergnes family’s long tenure. Its vineyards lie on clay-limestone and sandy-limestone soils in the foothills of the Pyrenees, with Mediterranean, oceanic, and Pyrenean influences. Terra Vitis-certified farming is carried out traditionally, without herbicides or fertilizers, with low yields and hand-harvesting. The estate’s focus is on traditional-method sparkling wines, including Blanquette de Limoux and Crémant de Limoux, made from varieties such as Mauzac, Chardonnay, Chenin, and Pinot Noir. Extended lees aging, barrel work, and manual disgorgement for prestige cuvées shape the style, alongside still Limoux and Pays d’Oc wines. Its setting includes olive groves, pine forests, and oak trees, reflecting a strong emphasis on heritage and biodiversity.