Producteurs Plaimont, St Mont Blanc D'Exception, 2015

Saint Mont, located on the first slopes of the Pyrenean foothills, spans across 46 communes in the western Gers department. This area is known for its cool micro-climate and rich, fertile soil. The Saint Mont region is a leader in grape varietal research (ampelography) and is home to France’s first vineyard recognized as a Historical Monument in 2012, as well as the nation’s first private conservatory founded in 2002. Plaimont Producteurs, established in the 1970s by merging three local cooperatives, is now a collective of some of the region’s most renowned estates and châteaux. The organization’s mission focuses on using research to equip local vignerons and growers for the future’s challenges, with a particular emphasis on reviving and promoting indigenous grape varieties.