The Dominican monastery

During 5 centuries - from 1290 to 1791 -, the Dominican monastery shine forth on Collioure life. Since 1791, St Dominic's church, becomes state-owned property and was used as an artillery deposit. In 1926, the vine growers of Collioure install their cellar in this imposing and picturesque building.

Today, 130 ha are farm, exclusively on the commune of Collioure, for a production average of 1.200 Hl of AOC* Collioure and 2.000 Hl of fortified wine.

On the slopes which go down to the Mediterranean Sea, the vineyard hangs in terraces, on steep slopes. Kilometers of schist, dry stone walls, retain a poor and not very deep soil.

In such harsh the work of the vineyard is entirely manual.

The tramontane (north-east wind), and the sea breezes temper an exceptional sunshine.

AOC Collioure are produced starting from an assembly of various type of vines:
- For Red Collioure: Black Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Vieux Carignan. The proportion of these type of vines is different according to the vintages.
- For Rosy Collioure: Black Grenache, Syrah and gray Grenache.
- For White Collioure: White Grenache, gray Grenache, Vermentino and Roussanne.
Yield limited to 40 Hl/Ha.

AOC Banyuls and Banyuls Great Vintage, are drawn starting from the type of vines black, gray and white Grenache, Macabeo, Malvasia and Muscats.

AOC Collioure & Banyuls Cellier des Dominicains result from grapes only collected on the Commune of Collioure.

Guided and commented tour on Mondays and Thursdays (from April to September) from 16 hours.

Reception of groups from 10 persons on reservation from Monday to Saturday.
Contact 04 68 82 05 63

*controlled designation of origin", is the French certification granted to certain French geographical indications for wines, and other agricultural products.

(source : www.dominicain.com)

This business is listed in the Guide for Tourism Economic Discovery edited by CCI of Perpignan and the Pyrenees-Orientals