Hourcat Sud

The Hourcat Sud block was purchased in mid-2009 with Paradise Rescued starting commercial viticultural management of this terroir in January 2010. Hourcat Sud comprises two areas:-

The main Cabernet Franc block containing just under 1000 head of vine, originally planted circa 1995. The vines are planted in line with the slope which runs east to west. Our first wine – the 2010 Cloud9 Cabernet Franc – was first harvested from this terroir in the autumn. 

 

Aerial view of the vineyards

To the western lower side of Hourcat Sud, is a section of mixed vines currently planted with three short rows of Sauvignon Blanc and seven rows of different table grapes. The grapes from these vines are currently made available to the community for their personal use. In the long term it is planned to make a small block of white wine grapes to produce a specialised AOC Cadillac Vin Liquoreux / dessert wine.

Prior to January 2010, Hourcat Sud had not been managed organically. A three year technical and regulatory period is required before a wine or vineyard can be called fully “organic”. In the vineyard, this slow process of reversing the damage caused by excessive pesticide and herbicide usage is now very evident and together with loving care from our vigeronne and vineyard team, we will restore Hourcat Sud to a balanced ecosytem and fully organic healthy vineyard. Almost all our vineyard operations are carried out by hand, minimising the impacts of heavy mechanical equipment on the land and bringing the maximum care and attention possible to each vine.

Hourcat Centre

Hourcat Centre block was purchased in September 2011 after Paradise Rescued had provided interim “life support” vineyard management for much of that year, following two years of sad neglect.

Hourcat Centre currently comprises two sections:

At the southern end is a section of 50+ year merlot vines, which will provide the initial merlot production from this vineyard.

To the northern larger part of this block, an old section of Semillons is nearing the end of its life and will be redeveloped.

It is our intention to fully rejuvenate this close planted superb block as the home for a future low yield high quality merlot wine.

Behind the Winery

We also own a few rows of vines in behind the winery in a small area that will probably be known as Hourcat Nord. This area will also require replanting and the current likelihood is that we will re-establish a mixed vineyard of older traditional variety Bordeaux grape varieties. Watch this space!!