Gaillac · 5 km
Domaine Vayssette
On the first slopes of Gaillac, a family estate across three generations, faithful to the native grapes. Its ancestral-method sparkling is listed in the Guide Hachette, and in summer the cellar becomes a night out.
Domaine Vayssette is a family-run cellar, set on the first slopes of Gaillac and passed down across three generations. Nathalie and Patrice Vayssette work twenty-seven hectares here, with a clear stance: the native Gaillac grapes, and them alone. Duras, Braucol and Prunelart in red; Mauzac, Loin de l’Œil and Ondenc in white — no Cabernet or Syrah here.
The house signature is the ancestral method from Mauzac, that Gaillac bubble from before Champagne, listed in the Guide Hachette des Vins. Alongside, the range covers the whole appellation, from dry white to sweet (the Maxime cuvée) and on to barrel-aged reds. The estate has been certified HVE level 3 since 2016 — a real environmental commitment, but one that stops short of organic, and it’s worth knowing.
It’s also a polished wine-tourism estate: a 2.5 km wine trail freely open, cellar tours, blind tastings, and in summer, apéro-concerts that make the cellar a night out as much as a tasting. A fine way into the forgotten grapes of the Gaillacois, Prunelart and Ondenc first.
Where to find the estate
5 km from Gaillac, on the heights of Gaillac.
- 1 Domaine Vayssette — 2738 chemin des Crêtes, 81600 Gaillac
Estate wines
3 wines, one signature
A Gaillac sweet white, Muscadelle and Mauzac, golden-hued.
A barrel-aged Gaillac red.
Fine Mauzac bubbles, listed in the Guide Hachette.
Wednesday apéro-concerts
Replay & Co
pop rock, soul, funk
- Wed05 AUGMorisettelive
- Wed19 AUGVoodoo Childrock, funk
Good to know
- What defines the estate?
- A real loyalty to the native Gaillac grapes — Duras, Braucol, Prunelart in red, Mauzac, Loin de l'Œil, Ondenc in white — and no international varieties. All on the first slopes of Gaillac, a family-run cellar across three generations.
- What is the ancestral method?
- Gaillac's historic sparkling, from Mauzac: the bubble forms straight in the bottle, with nothing added. It's the 'bubble before Champagne', and the estate's is listed in the Guide Hachette des Vins.
- Is the estate organic?
- No, it's certified HVE level 3 since 2016, not organic or biodynamic. The environmental commitment is real but stops short of an organic label — best to be clear.
- How do the apéro-concerts work?
- Three Wednesday evenings in July–August, at 7:30pm: a live band, two glasses of the estate's wine included and local food on site. Reckon €7 to €10 depending on the option, by booking (limited capacity). The line-up is below.
Visit the estate
Come taste on site
Monday to Friday 9am–noon and 2–7pm, Saturday until 6:30pm. Wine trail freely open, guided cellar tours by booking.
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink responsibly.