Vineyards of the south-west: AOC Corrèze - Vin de Paillé; Mille et une Pierres.

View of Branceilles through the vineyards.

Located in the extreme south of Corrèze, the Branceilles vineyard was the first to be replanted in 1986. Branceilles' 8 winegrowers are united under the 1001 pierres (1001 stones) banner.

Oak barrels in the cooperative cellar.

Cultivating a total of 30 hectares with principally merlot, cabarnet and gamay to produce some 150.000 bottles of wine a year. The wine has been marketed since 1990, from their cooperative chai.

Map of the vineyards and hikes.

We were told about half the production is certified ‘biological’ and noticed the difference whiles hiking around the vineyards, as some had strips of grass between the lines of vines and had clearly been sprayed to control the weeds under the vines. Whiles others had a combination of beans and grains grown in between the lines that was used to mulch the vines to both control the weeds and fertilise the soil.

Hiking through the vineyards.

Parking opposite the chai there are three walks: 2.8, 4.1 and 5.5 km, to explore the vineyards.

Work in the vineyards.

After the hike a visit to the chai, with the oak storage barrels in the basement, sample (and buy) some of the wines. The straw wines are exceptional and the taste lingers for long. Find out more about the hidden vineyards of the south-west of France through:

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