Villa Symposia
S.C.E.A de l'Hermitage,
Chemin de St.Georges,
34800 ASPIRAN.
Villa Symposia is an 18 ha (44 acre) property with working winery and maturation cellars in the heart of the Côteaux du Languedoc. Presently owned by Château Rol Valentin (www.rolvalentin.com), the Saint Emilion Grand Cru estate owned and managed by Eric Prissette, the former professional football player who acquired the Château in 1994 and whose wines have been rated among the top 10 Saint Emilion Grand Crus in Robert Parker's 'Wine Spectator'. The vineyards also have a northerly aspect which, given the intense summer heat in the region, has a slight cooling effect on the vines which is most desirable. The most famous property in the Languedoc, Mas de Daumas Gassac in Aniane, also boasts a northerly aspect so it can't be a bad thing!
Location: the property is located between Pezenas and Clermont l'Herault approx 130 Kms east of Carcassonne Airport via Beziers.
Journey time - about 1h 20 by road.
Total Area: 18.10 ha (44.7 acres) of which 12.17 ha is in vines, 3.80 ha has plantation rights (terres avec droits) and the balance is land (terres).
A.O.C. Coteaux du Languedoc (Rouge: 8.60 ha)
Syrah: 6.77 ha
Carignan: 1.55 ha
Grenache: 0.30 ha
A.O.C. Coteaux de Languedoc (Blanc: 2.51 ha)
Grenache B: 1.73 ha
Clairette: 0.78 ha
V.D. Pays
Merlot: 1.02 ha
Viticulture
Some capital expenditure is required for new posts and wiring (palissage) of 4 ha of new vines but otherwise the vineyard is in excellent condition and all the necessary viticultural equipment is included, tractor, rotovator, mulcher, trimmers etc.
The Winery
The winery is new and in excellent condition with an area of 450 Sq.Mtrs. It is fully equipped with new stainless steel fermentation tanks, capacity 500Hls a barrel cellar and various vinification equipment. Some capital expenditure is required to finish out the building work - partial flooring, exterior rendering, paving and completion of accommodation for staff usage.
Accomodation
The property includes a 'Mas' or 'Mazet' - effectively a Provencale ruin, a little like a minature Bunratty Castle, which is part of the estate and for which plans have been drawn up for restoration, subject to p.p. It would make an ideal reception area for wine tasting and visitor accommodation.
