In Montpeyroux, Mas Origine combines traditional know-how and 2.0 technologies

Connected anemometers and rain gauges are installed in the plots. Midi Free – JEROME MOUILLOT

With Castellas as a backdrop, the estate already has a whole range of wines… and grape juice. Midi Free – JEROME MOUILLOT

Un pressoir pneumatique flambant neuf pour prendre soin des produits. Midi Libre – JEROME MOUILLOT

Julien and Laura Fabregat in their cellar in Montpeyroux. Midi Free – JEROME MOUILLOT

At the head of Mas Origine, in Montpeyroux, young winegrowers Julien and Laura Fabregat are in the running for the Graines d’agriculturists competition, an agricultural trophy which allows the general public to support farmers through a vote. This year the competition focuses on technology.

Originally there was nothing, or almost nothing. 30 acres of vines that a grandfather kept in Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve. A small plot cultivated, on weekends, with the family. And then there we are, approaching thirty "in 2017 we wanted to get started, to make our own wines. At thirty, we said to ourselves that it was the time, after all, we only have one life!", confide, accomplices, Laura and Julien Fabregat. She was a nurse, he worked in logistics. Viti oeno training in hand for him and operations manager (in progress) for her, they settled in Montpeyroux, on 17 hectares of vines which extend into the heart of the vineyards. appellations (Terrasses du Larzac and Montpeyroux) where they "were very well received" and are today at the head of Mas Origine. "We wrote this story starting from scratch. And we were inspired by our origins and the fundamental values ​​transmitted by our parents and grandparents: work, passion, conviviality and sharing, Laura enlightens. Essential cardinal values ​​for young farmers well anchored in the 21st century. Two "hard workers"who do not forget another sure value of agriculture 2.0: technology. They are also among the 10 young farmers who are finalists in the national Graines d'agriculteurs competition, which this year is putting technology in the spotlight.

Streamlining production

In their plots, connected mini weather stations help optimize operations via an application, software from the Chamber of Agriculture records work in the vines, and precision GPS guidance embedded on the tractor to streamline passages between the rows, a pneumatic press for pressing that respects and enhances the product. “We wanted to manage these interventions as best we could. What we want is to be sure of what we are doing. Even if we had to invest, from the start, we really wanted to streamline our work”, explains Julien Fabregat.

Technology and winegrower common sense

And it seems to be working well. Because after an original harvest in 2022, the estate, whose organic conversion will soon be confirmed, has already won gold at the last CCVH wine competition with a lovely Terrasses du Larzac combining Syrah, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre. For a first attempt… It was a masterstroke. The technological contribution is certainly not unrelated to this first success, but above all, the winemaker's common sense is a guarantee of quality. "It may seem obvious, but our philosophy is really to manage the vineyard as best as possible, to produce the best quality grapes possible, to then do fairly simple things in winemaking and support it without adding too many inputs", explains Julien Fabregat.

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