While many dream of owning their own sun-drenched French vineyard, coaxing artisan wines from gnarled vines, the reality is that for most, the expense, time and expertise required to realise the dream puts it well beyond practical reach. However, the restoration of an abandoned winery deep in the heart of the Languedoc offers wine lovers an opportunity to make this dream a reality.

Chateau Les Carrasses is a picture perfect South of France domaine - a turreted chateau nestled amongst rolling vineyards fringed with cypress and olive groves. While inhabited until fairly recently, the last bottling at the estate took place in 1988, after which the vines were sold off and the winery abandoned. Today the domaine is being restored by specialist developers Domaine & Demeure as an elegant and intimate development with a flourishing winery producing boutique wines as its centrepiece.

Around courtyards linked by a central avenue planted with plane trees, are the buildings traditionally found on a large wine domaine including the chateau, blacksmith�s house, estate cottages and stables amongst other period outbuildings. These are being converted into just 28 houses and apartments, making the most of their inherent volumes and textures � stone facades, exposed beams, extra-high ceilings and spectacular views. Each property will feature private wine cellaring, stocked with a complimentary selection of wines from the estate and the region upon first arrival.

As it was in its heyday, the winery will be at the heart of this rejuvenated community. Under the careful eye of local negociant/oenologue David Alcaraz, selected vines are being reassembled and the winery being brought back into operation, drawing on the best of both modern and traditional winemaking techniques. The objective is to produce quality wines that are both attractive to the discerning international palate while demonstrably reflecting the local terroirs.

The renovation of the winery building is being designed to facilitate practical discovery of the winemaking process, and it is envisaged that property owners will play an active role in the viticultural life of the estate � actively participating in all stages of annual the winemaking process, from harvest to assemblage and bottling. And as a reward, all owners will take a share in the yield � roughly 50 cases per property each year. The estate will also feature communal swimming pools, outdoor barbecues, boules and clay tennis courts.

Karl O�Hanlon, the developer and long time Languedoc resident comments, �I see the transformation of Chateau Les Carrasses as another step in the ongoing renaissance of Languedoc wine making. Of course the renaissance started with the product itself, and it�s clear the region has made enormous strides and is now producing some of the most exciting wines in the world. It�s a natural next step for this vibrancy to spill over into related activities, and the hospitality side of things is an obvious extension. The Chateau is going to be a fantastic place for people to immerse themselves in the winemaking culture of the region, in an authentic, hands-on way.�

Prices at Les Carrasses start at around �200,000 (�175,000/$270,000) for a suite in the chateau and go up to �650,000 (�586,500/$880,000) for a large house in the converted winery with a garden and private pool.

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NOTES TO EDITORS: Domaine & Demeure was founded by Karl O�Hanlon to pursue his vision of authentic and sustainable real estate and tourism, which he defines as �the rehabilitation of character buildings as exceptional developments, retaining and enhancing their essential purpose and character, integrated with and respectful of the local environment � natural, social, cultural and economic�

He has been developing period properties in the South of France for over eight years and lives in the region with his wife and children.

For further information, please contact: Margaret Robertson, Domaine & Demeure,Tel: (From UK/Ireland) 0870 626 5203 margaret@domainedemeure.com www.domainedemeure.com

For press information (not for publication): Lana Wrightman, Tel: 020 8533 2277, Mob: +44 (0)77 2595 1310 pr@lanawrightman.com