Vincent Goumard

Vincent and Isabelle Goumard had great careers in the world of finance in Paris. However deep down both were convinced that they wanted to start a new adventure. They were eager to connect with nature and learn new things. Both wine aficionados and keen oenophiles knew that making wine would be more satisfying for their soul. Therefore it was back to the school benches for Vincent to study viticulture and winemaking in Dijon and Beaune. 

After experiencing the ‘real winemaking world’ at different estates they acquired Mas Cal Demoura in June 2003. The domaine was created in 1970 by Jean-Pierre Jullien, active leader of the rebirth of the quality of Languedoc wines and father of Olivier Jullien from Mas Jullien. 

Vincent and Isabelle spent almost a year working alongside Monsieur Jullien in the vineyards and in the cellar and learnt his savoir-faire.

The 14 hectare vineyard of Mas Cal Demoura features mostly Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault along with six white grape varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne. Planted on limestone and limestone-clay soils, the vineyards benefit from a Mediterranean climate softened by the fresh air of the high Larzac plateau, and its Mount Baudile which peaks at 850m.

Vincent and Isabelle farm organically also following biodynamic principles with a strict objective to produce high quality wine from their vines averaging 35 years. Yields are undeniably low (20 to 30 hl/ha) and becoming inconsistent due to the ever harsher and warmer climate. 

The Goumard have definitely reinvented themselves. They are bursting with energy and their immense passion for their terroirs, vines and wines is clear and undeniable. 

Spending time with Vincent and Isabelle - visiting the vineyards and the cellar, tasting from barrels and the latest bottling - is absolutely fascinating. Their attention to every little details, their charisma, their precision, their relentless search for perfection, their respect for the terroir and for other vignerons, and above all, their immense dedication are mesmerising.  Amongst many tasks, Isabelle is always in the vineyards with the pickers during the harvest ensuring that the utmost quality of the grapes is dispatch to the cellar before being sorted a second time.

Vincent and Isabelle are wonderful ‘new’ vignerons and it feels like they have  been living in the village of Jonquières all their lives. In fact, they are utterly committed to the identity and image of the Languedoc wines. Only after three years as a vigneron in the region, Vincent was a key figure in assisting with the recognition of the Appellation Terrasses du Larzac which was obtained in 2014.

The wines of Mas Cal Demoura are extremely pure, perfectly chiseled, supremely elegant, showing finesse while retaining beautiful freshness. The quality of their wines has gained in precision and depth. They are quite remarkable, vibrant and dynamic. They are a self portrait of their personality; classic, serious and clearly far from austere. 

One day Jean-Pierre Jullien dropped a hand written note in their letter box: ‘Thank you for what you have done with Cal Demoura.’ It says it all.