Domaine Llagastére: Mastering Grenache and Terroir in Port Vendres

We’ve experienced many unexpected adventures in southern France. Few were as delightful as meeting Pierre and Marie-Claire Fort at their Domaine in Port Vendres.

It was raining. We were collected from the port. It was cold. But then we were welcomed into their warm home. Marie-Claire had cooked a delicious pork meatball stew, and we met the pet seagull, Bob. We sat, listened, and tasted. First, last year’s vintage at the table, then this year’s straight from the barrel, in the cellar built into the rock beneath their house.

A hearty dish of pork meatballs with olives, prepared by Marie-Claire at Domaine Llagastére, ready to be enjoyed alongside their wines.

Pierre Fort tasting wine directly from a barrel at Domaine Llagastére in Port Vendres, with barrels in the background.

Pierre’s winemaking journey was shaped under the mentorship of the late Loire legend, Didier Dagueneau. Known as ‘The Wildman of Pouilly,’ Didier earned cult-like status for his belief in terroir and biodynamic farming practices. His protégée, Pierre, absorbed these principles and set out to change the wine world with taste-altering wines.

Fast forward 50 years. After building Domaine de Mouscaillo to perfection, Pierre’s retirement didn’t last long. Within a year, he purchased a plot of land and began to master his third grape—Grenache.

A panoramic view of the vineyard at Domaine Llagastére, with the steep terraces and Mediterranean in the background, showcasing the unique terroir.

Pierre and Marie-Claire are now virtuosos in the art of farming and winemaking.

A dramatic view of the rolling hills and coastline surrounding Domaine Llagastére in Port Vendres, emphasizing the region’s stunning landscape.

They work exclusively with two varieties of Grenache—Grenache Noir and Grenache Blanc. These grapes thrive on a steep, slightly elevated terrace on schist soil, with the fresh saline air from the Mediterranean sweeping through the vines. The old vines have survived and produce fruit that reflects the unique terroir—creating wines with a deep, complex flavor.

Another stunning view of the vineyard at Domaine Llagastére, capturing the terrain where Grenache thrives amidst the breathtaking landscape of Port Vendres.

Pierre is well on his way to creating a third legacy. He started with Sauvignon in the Loire with Didier, passed on the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay legacy to his son and daughter-in-law, and now, together with Marie-Claire and their neighbors, he’s establishing Grenache as the cornerstone of their next chapter.

Domaine Llagastére is a family affair—one where tradition, passion, and terroir combine to create wines that tell the story of the land and the people.