Alain Cavailles
Alain Cavailles is a winemaker who manages the Domaine Moulin d'Alon in an artisanal way. The estate is located near Magris, south of Carcassonne, in the Aude department, within the French region of Occitanie. The estate was founded in 1999 and produces a range of wines with a typically territorial character, including: Blanquette de Limoux, Crémant de Limoux, still white and red wines. Alain is an atypical figure in winemaking. He does not have a family tradition in viticulture. When he started his adventure, he did not know how to prune the vines, drive a tractor, or even vinify. He simply decided to return to the land of his ancestors, Limoux, to start a new life almost from scratch, putting himself on the line and relying solely on his passion and tenacity.
He chose to cultivate the vines in the upper valley of the Aude, in the heart of the Autan territory. The soils are clayey and calcareous in nature, very suitable for viticulture. The climate of the Limoux area is very particular and is influenced by three different climatic regimes: mediterranean, atlantic, and Pyrenean, which create unique conditions, with cool temperatures, constant ventilation, and the presence of good temperature excursions, which favor the maturation of grapes with intense aromas, but with a high base acidity. The vines are managed according to the principles of organic farming, with the utmost respect for nature and using only sulfur and copper for treatments. The vine is thus stimulated to find its natural balance and develop its resilience within an ecosystem characterized by a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. The soils, which do not know herbicides or chemical fertilizers, also demonstrate greater vitality and absolutely natural fertility.
The soils are worked and plowed gently to avoid damaging the microbiotic life. Fertilizations are carried out using pomace, the remains of winter pruning, and the mowing of spontaneous herbs that grow in the inter-rows. The vineyard work throughout the year is done only manually, and even the harvest is carried out with the
Alain Cavailles is a winemaker who manages the Domaine Moulin d'Alon in an artisanal way. The estate is located near Magris, south of Carcassonne, in the Aude department, within the French region of Occitanie. The estate was founded in 1999 and produces a range of wines with a typically territorial character, including: Blanquette de Limoux, Crémant de Limoux, still white and red wines. Alain is an atypical figure in winemaking. He does not have a family tradition in viticulture. When he started his adventure, he did not know how to prune the vines, drive a tractor, or even vinify. He simply decided to return to the land of his ancestors, Limoux, to start a new life almost from scratch, putting himself on the line and relying solely on his passion and tenacity.
He chose to cultivate the vines in the upper valley of the Aude, in the heart of the Autan territory. The soils are clayey and calcareous in nature, very suitable for viticulture. The climate of the Limoux area is very particular and is influenced by three different climatic regimes: mediterranean, atlantic, and Pyrenean, which create unique conditions, with cool temperatures, constant ventilation, and the presence of good temperature excursions, which favor the maturation of grapes with intense aromas, but with a high base acidity. The vines are managed according to the principles of organic farming, with the utmost respect for nature and using only sulfur and copper for treatments. The vine is thus stimulated to find its natural balance and develop its resilience within an ecosystem characterized by a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. The soils, which do not know herbicides or chemical fertilizers, also demonstrate greater vitality and absolutely natural fertility.
The soils are worked and plowed gently to avoid damaging the microbiotic life. Fertilizations are carried out using pomace, the remains of winter pruning, and the mowing of spontaneous herbs that grow in the inter-rows. The vineyard work throughout the year is done only manually, and even the harvest is carried out with the
