A little background history
The grounds at MAS CHICHET cover over 52. Hectares spread out over ELNE, THEZA, CORNEILLA DEL VERCOL and ALENYA.
The domaine was originally built as a coaching inn, in 1858 by Joseph CHICHET to help feed his horses that were used for transporting wine.
In 1870, forced to stop this activity, he took the decision to transform 30 hectares of meadow land into vineyards and planted his first vines.
Two generations have since followed in his footsteps: Edouard and Berthe CHICHET then their son, Paul, who took over the vineyard in 1955 and extended the estate to cover 38 Hectares.He brought with him a surge of energy by planting Bordeaux grape varieties in Catalan country, being the first to do so in the Roussillon area! After numerous trials he achieved the unimaginable and introduced the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot to his vineyards.
Paul Chichet et ses petits enfants
(Laure, Edouard et sa femme Catherine)
In 1986 Jacques, his son took over and extended further the vineyards, increased production and set up a sales office to concentrate on wine export sales.
Jacques Chichet
In 2000 his daughter Laure CHICHET–GIRBAUT, Œnologue, joined the team and in doing so, brought with her a new wave of fresh energy that she channelled into the vineyards and cellars. Add her experience, gained from working in various vineyards throughout the world to the family savoir faire, reputation and knowledge and you have the perfect winemaking team on hand.
Laure Chichet
Our vocation
Since Mas Chichet was created, the family concept has always been the evolution of quality grape varieties but their greatest concept of all was to put it in a bottle for others to enjoy.
The Merlot and the “Cabernet” are grape varieties that do not figure in the Department’s AOC (Appellations d’Origine Controle*) listing. Therefore the Mas Chichet wines have to be sold as Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes**. * Brand Origin Control (that the product originates from that particular area and is specific to that area). ** Catalan Area wine
The search for quality
For a little over fifteen years now the reconverted Mas Chichet vineyards have only one preoccupation, and that is the research into and for quality. To achieve the quality they are after, four different areas are focused on
- Selection of the best grape vine.
- Winegrowing methods (winemaker methods).
- The best grape.
- Careful and attentive winemaking and maturing.