Domaine Terrasse d'Élise
Domaine de la Terrasse d’Élise is a hidden gem located between Aniane and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, in the heart of the Hérault region, Languedoc-Roussillon. Founded in 1998 by Xavier Braujou, a former lumberjack turned passionate vigneron, the estate covers around 14 hectares farmed with a minimalist, organic approach (though not certified).
Rejecting the constraints of the AOC system, Xavier chooses to bottle his wines under IGP Pays d’Hérault, allowing him full creative freedom. Yields are deliberately low, harvests are done by hand, and winemaking is gentle: indigenous yeasts, no punching down, no pumping over, and long aging (12–24 months) in old barrels or stainless steel to preserve purity and finesse.
The domaine is especially known for its elegant and expressive interpretations of lesser-celebrated grapes such as Cinsault, Nielluccio, and Mourvèdre. Iconic cuvées like Le Pradel, PMG, and Enclos stand out for their texture, clarity, and quiet complexity. His white wines, such as Siclène and K’Yenne, reflect the same precision and restraint.
Style of wine
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Appellation:
Pays d’Hérault
Vineyard: 14 hectares
Varieties grown:
Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Carignan Syrah,, Marsanne, Roussanne, Chardonnay
Agriculture: Organic
By choosing the IGP over the constraints of appellation, Terrasse d’Élise crafts wines with freedom, precise, soulful expressions that speak more of place and intention than of rules
Emile Beyer . Meyer . Mélanie Pfister . Les Bertrand . Bonnet-Cotton . Louis-Claude Desvignes . Belle Grange . Fleur Ursuline . Berthaut-Gerbet . Athénais de Beru . Briday . Henri et Gilles Buisson . Burguet . Castagnier . Coillot . Duplessis . Forest . Garrey . Thierry Glantenay . Goisot . Godier . Armand Heitz . Hubert Lamy . Lejeune . Loichet . Mallard et Fils . Marchand-Grillot . Olivier Merlin . Chateau de Monthelie . Olivier Morin . Parigot . Luc et Lise Pavelot . Picq et Fils . Robert Denogent . Sainte-Barbe . Sarrazin et Fils . Serrigny . Violot-Guillemard . Joseph Voillot . Pierre Brocard . Doyard . Huré Frères . Sandrin . Leccia . Caves du Vieux Mont . Ganevat . Barthassade . Castelneau . Langlade . Famille Fabre . Mas du Novi . Mouscaillo . Domaine du Possible . Terrasse d'Elise . Vaisse . Martinette . Henri Milan . Ardoisières . Bonnard . Andre et Michel Quenard . Le Cédre . Clos Troteligotte . Bonnigal-Bodet . Chidaine . Croix Melier . Clos de la Frelonnerie . Giraudon . Huards . Michaud . Roger Neveu . Henry Pelle . Remoortere . Claude Riffault . Rocher des Violettes . Wilfrid Rousse . Vignes Saint Vincent . Philippe Alliet . Bois de Boursan . Henri Bonneau . Cecillon . Chatagnier . Coursodon . D'ourea . Darnaud . Duclaux . Durieu . Guillaume Gilles . Pilon. Raspail-Ay . Richaud . Santa-Duc . Stephan . Alaryk