CAVES CAROD

The Caves Carod vineyards grow on sun-drenched hillsides in their own very special spot. The Carod name has come to mean passion, skill and a forward-thinking family; because here, it’s all about the people. In the late 19th century, a Mr Paul Barnier – grandfather of the 5 Carod brothers – planted the first vines. He was later joined by Amande Carod, a hard-worker with a keen eye for detail, who began to extend the vineyards little by little. (At the time they measured no more than 2 or 3 hectares). When Paul Barnier retired, all the estate’s Clairette de Die was being marketed under the Carod brand. In 1973, Alain Carod took charge of both vineyards and wine production, while Marcel Carod looked after administration and communications. Their enthusiasm and optimism knew no bounds; they continued to extend the vineyards, honed their technical skills and adapted the winery to suit their goals. And because they wanted to share their passion and knowledge with a wider audience, the brothers set up a Clairette de Die museum which they opened to the public.

In 2008 Carod Frères was bought out by Grands Chais de France, who continue to promote its legacy and ensure its future sustainability. Eric, one of the brothers, is still on board as vineyard manager. The vineyards were awarded HVE (High Environmental Value) accreditation in 2018, and are in conversion to organic – a welcome addition to the existing range of négociant-produced organic wines.