There are vineyards here thanks to St Benoit (St Benedict) of Aniane, founder of a monastery around which he planted vines. The monastery became known as St Anian, evolving into today’s St Chinian. It’s an area north-west of Beziers, a land of forests and wild boar, where the Carroux and Espinouse cast shadows over the vineyards. That’s why there is such a fascinating microclimate where mimosa and orange trees flourish.

To the north, the vines grow in arid schist which is why the wines are open, warm with hints of toast and leather. The clay and limestone soils produce wines that reflect the area generally, reminiscent of the herby, heady perfumes of the garrigue. Saint-Chinian reds and bled rosés acquired the AOC label in 1982; white AOC wines followed in 2004.

Since February 2004, two commune based appellations have been born :They are Saint-Chinian / Berlou and Saint-Chinian / Roquebrun
All other communes may produce Coteaux du Languedoc.