Sainte-Croix · 15 km
Domaine d'Escausses
At Sainte-Croix, the Balaran family has grown vines for seven generations. Jean-Marc and his daughter Aurélie champion the Gaillac grapes and revive Ondenc, while converting to organic farming.
Domaine d’Escausses is a family affair: the Balarans have been on this land at Sainte-Croix, on the western edge of the vineyard between Albi and Cordes-sur-Ciel, for seven generations. Today Jean-Marc Balaran runs the house with his daughter Aurélie — a genuine father-and-daughter handover, which has also widened the family’s reach with a second estate, Château L’Enclos des Roses, at Cahuzac-sur-Vère.
What sets Escausses apart is its instinct for heritage. Rather than chasing international grapes, the family grows the Gaillac varieties — Duras, Braucol, Mauzac, Loin de l’Œil — and brings back Ondenc, the old white almost forgotten, vinified on its own in the “Absolument Ondenc” cuvée. The cuvée names, meanwhile, deliberately muddy the waters: “La Vigne Blanche” (the white vine) is a red, and you’re better off reading the label.
To be honest about it: the estate is converting to organic, not yet certified across the range — the first organic wines date from the 2023 vintage, on an HVE base. Better to know that than to picture a fully organic cellar. For anyone drawn to the forgotten grapes of the Gaillacois, it’s a fine stop, Ondenc first.
Where to find the estate
15 km from Gaillac, on the heights of Sainte-Croix.
- 1 Domaine d'Escausses — 32 route de la Salamandrié, 81150 Sainte-Croix
Estate wines
4 wines, one signature
A 100% Mauzac white, barrel-aged, lively, apple and pear.
A single-grape Ondenc, the old Gaillac variety brought back to light.
A Braucol red — yes, despite the name.
A convivial red, to open among friends.
Wednesday apéro-concerts
Line-up to come
- Wed01 JULLes Tutti Fruitypop
- Wed08 JULLine-up to come
- Wed15 JULLos Pastelosbrass band
- Wed22 JULVoodom Jamrock
- Wed29 JULLine-up to come
Good to know
- Château or Domaine d'Escausses?
- Both names refer to the same house. The current brand is 'Famille Balaran', which also runs a second estate, Château L'Enclos des Roses at Cahuzac-sur-Vère.
- Is the estate organic?
- It's converting to organic farming, with the first organic wines from the 2023 vintage, on an already HVE-certified base. So not 'all organic' yet — it depends on the cuvée and the vintage.
- Why is 'La Vigne Blanche' a red?
- Because the Balarans play with their cuvée names. La Vigne Blanche is a red, La Vigne Mythique comes in white and red — better to read the label than trust the name.
- What is Ondenc?
- An old white Gaillac grape that had almost stopped being planted. The estate brought it back with its 'Absolument Ondenc' cuvée — one of the few places to taste it as a single grape.
Visit the estate
Come taste on site
Monday to Saturday, 9am–1pm and 2–7pm. Sundays and public holidays by appointment.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink responsibly.