Les Cigales dans La Fourmilière
Montpeyroux, Languedoc-Roussillon | FRANCE
In the rugged hills around Montpeyroux, Julie and Ivo have built a project rooted in curiosity, freedom and a deep respect for the realities of farming. Their approach is refreshingly straightforward: no grand narratives, no unnecessary romanticism, just thoughtful vineyard work and wines that speak honestly of their place. Together they farm around 10 hectares of vines in the Hérault, where naturally low yields and a challenging Mediterranean climate demand patience, precision and commitment.
Although they merged their vineyards and resources several years ago, both continue to maintain their own creative identities. Their shared venture, Les Cigales dans La Fourmilière, was born in 2016 as a platform for experimentation and collaboration, allowing their individual approaches to influence and enrich one another while preserving their independence. The result is a dynamic cellar where ideas are constantly evolving and no two wines are treated the same.
Ivo's journey to Montpeyroux is far from conventional. Originally from Portugal, he gained experience alongside influential figures such as Jean-Marc Brignot and Château Le Puy before establishing Domaine de l’Escarpolette in 2009. Julie followed her own path, working alongside Aurélien Petit before creating her own project in the region. Today, their combined experience forms the foundation of a cellar driven by exploration rather than formula.
Working with everything from skin-macerated whites to traditionally vinified reds, and utilising fibreglass tanks, barrels of various sizes and large foudres, Julie and Ivo embrace diversity in both technique and expression. Their wines are vibrant, characterful and deeply individual, reflecting not only the unique terroirs of Montpeyroux but also the creative energy of two winemakers who continually challenge themselves and each other.
A wonderfully delicate and expressive white wine made from direct-pressed Grenache Noir, offering an intriguing combination of orchard fruit, citrus zest and floral aromatics. Notes of white peach, pink grapefruit, ripe pear and wild herbs mingle with a subtle stony minerality, creating a wine that is both refreshing and textural. Light on its feet yet layered with complexity, the palate is vibrant, precise and saline, finishing with remarkable purity and persistence. A distinctive and captivating expression of Grenache Noir that challenges expectations.
Winemakers | Julie Brosselin & Ivo Ferreira
Region | Montpeyroux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Grenache Noir (Direct Press)
Style | White
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Schist
Altitude | 150m
Vinification
Grenache Noir grown on schist soils was harvested and direct pressed immediately, extracting only the purest juice while avoiding colour and tannin extraction from the skins. Fermentation occurred with indigenous yeasts, split equally between wooden tank and fibreglass tank, combining precision and freshness with additional texture and complexity. The wine then spent six months ageing in wooden tank, allowing it to develop depth and structure without losing its vibrant energy. The result is a singular white wine, showcasing the elegance, minerality and unexpected versatility of direct-pressed Grenache Noir.
An irresistibly aromatic and characterful white, combining the freshness of Cinsault Blanc de Noir with the exotic perfume of Muscat Petit Grain. The nose bursts with white blossom, fresh grapes, peach skin and citrus zest, while the palate brings layers of ripe pear, mandarin and delicate floral notes. Despite its expressive aromatics, the wine remains beautifully balanced, with vibrant acidity, subtle texture and a refreshing mineral finish. Energetic, distinctive and highly drinkable, it offers a wonderfully original take on Mediterranean white wine.
Winemakers | Julie Brosselin & Ivo Ferreira
Region | Montpeyroux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | 90% Cinsault (Blanc de Noir), 10% Muscat Petit Grain
Style | White
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Schist (Cinsault), Clay-Limestone (Muscat Petit Grain)
Altitude | 150m
Vinification
The Cinsault was direct pressed as a Blanc de Noir, preserving freshness, elegance and purity of fruit. The Muscat Petit Grain underwent one week of skin maceration with regular punch-downs to gently extract aromatic complexity and texture. Fermentation occurred with indigenous yeasts, with no pump-overs used throughout the process. The wine was aged for six months in a combination of wooden and fibreglass tanks before being bottled without fining or filtration. The result is a vibrant and expressive white wine that balances aromatic intensity with freshness, texture and remarkable drinkability.
A vibrant, aromatic orange-leaning white that brings together the floral lift of Muscat Petit Grain, the structure of Grenache Blanc and the subtle depth of Grenache Noir vinified as blanc de noir. The nose is expressive and layered, with notes of orange blossom, dried apricot, citrus peel and wild herbs. On the palate, it shows a beautiful interplay between freshness and texture: bright acidity cuts through a gentle phenolic grip, while the finish is long, saline and lightly spiced. Energetic yet composed, it’s a wine that evolves beautifully in the glass.
Winemakers | Julie Brosselin & Ivo Ferreira
Region | Montpeyroux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Varieties | Muscat Petit Grain, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Noir (Blanc de Noir)
Style | Orange Wine
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Clay-Limestone
Altitude | 250m
Vinification
Muscat Petit Grain and Grenache Blanc underwent approximately two weeks of skin maceration with regular punch-downs to extract aromatic complexity, texture and structure. Grenache Noir was direct pressed as a blanc de noir to preserve freshness and lift. All fermentations took place with indigenous yeasts, with no pump-overs used throughout. The wine was aged for six months in wooden tanks, allowing integration and soft development while maintaining energy and clarity. It was bottled without fining or filtration, resulting in a textural, expressive and highly individual orange-style white wine
A flagship, highly expressive orange wine from Muscat Petit Grain, Céleste 2024 is one of the most profound and structured wines in the Les Cigales range. It opens with intense aromatics of orange blossom, ripe apricot, candied citrus, wild herbs and subtle tea-like spice, unfolding into layers of depth and nuance. A month of skin maceration brings real concentration and texture, giving the wine a deep, almost architectural feel, balanced by vibrant acidity and fine tannic grip. The palate is dense yet precise, with remarkable energy running through its core, leading to a long, saline and deeply persistent finish. Both powerful and refined, this is a serious, contemplative wine with outstanding ageing potential, built to evolve beautifully over time.
Winemakers | Julie Brosselin & Ivo Ferreira
Region | Montpeyroux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Muscat Petit Grain
Style | Orange Wine
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Clay-Limestone
Altitude | 150m
Vinification
The grapes were destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts, undergoing approximately one month of skin maceration in wooden tanks. Regular punch-downs were carried out to gently extract aromatic intensity, structure and phenolic depth, with no pump-overs used throughout fermentation. The wine was then aged for six months in wood, allowing for slow integration and added complexity while preserving tension and purity. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, Céleste 2024 is a deeply expressive, highly concentrated orange wine built for both immediate impact and long-term ageing potential.
A beautifully light and effortless expression of Grenache Noir, bursting with wild strawberries, red cherries and a touch of crushed raspberry. Delicate yet vibrant, it combines juicy fruit with remarkable freshness, making it dangerously easy to drink. The palate is supple and silky, with gentle tannins, bright acidity and a lifted, almost weightless finish that invites another sip. Served lightly chilled, it captures the carefree, sun-soaked character of the Mediterranean while retaining precision and elegance.
Winemakers | Julie Brosselin & Ivo Ferreira
Region | Montpeyroux, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Grenache Noir
Style | Red
Viticulture | Organic farming
Soil | Clay-Limestone
Altitude | 250m
Vinification
Sourced from clay-limestone soils, the grapes were destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in fibreglass tanks. A short maceration of just 2–3 days ensured gentle extraction, with no punch-downs or pump-overs, preserving the wine’s delicate fruit profile and freshness. The wine matured for six months in fibreglass tanks before being bottled without fining or filtration, resulting in a pure and vibrant expression of Grenache Noir.