Mas Coutelou — Jean-François Nicq — Languedoc

Mas Coutelou is a legendary estate in the Languedoc, synonymous with the early days of the French natural wine movement. The domaine is run by Jean-François Nicq, a passionate and outspoken winemaker who has been practicing organic and low-intervention viticulture for decades. His philosophy, centered on a deep respect for the land and an uncompromising commitment to natural winemaking, has made him a mentor to a generation of young winemakers and a cult figure among natural wine enthusiasts.

A Philosophy of Life and Purity

Jean-François's philosophy is rooted in a desire to create wines that are not just good, but alive. He believes that the winemaker's job is to facilitate, not to force. His approach is summarized by his simple mantra: to make "wines for the joy of sharing."

  • Organic & Biodynamic Farming: The vineyards have been farmed organically since 1987 and biodynamically since 1993. Jean-François believes in a holistic approach to viticulture, treating his vines with natural preparations and composts to maintain a healthy, vibrant ecosystem.

  • Non-Interventionist Winemaking: In the cellar, his approach is radical in its simplicity. He uses only native yeasts for fermentation, does not add any sulfur dioxide (SO2​), and avoids all fining and filtration.

  • Terroir Expression: He believes that the best way to express the terroir of the Languedoc is to simply get out of the way. His wines are a pure, unadulterated reflection of the climate, soil, and vintage.

The Vineyards and Terroir

Mas Coutelou is located in the Aude region of the Languedoc, in the village of Puimisson.

  • Location: Puimisson, Languedoc-Roussillon.

  • Vineyard Area: The domaine covers about 12 hectares.

  • Grape Varieties: The vineyards are planted with a mix of traditional Languedoc grapes, including Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Some of his Carignan vines are over 100 years old, providing incredibly low yields of concentrated, complex fruit.

  • Soils: The terroir is a mix of limestone and clay, which provides excellent drainage and imparts a distinct mineral quality to the wines.

Winemaking and Process

Jean-François's cellar work is a testament to his trust in natural processes. He keeps everything simple and focuses on gentle handling of the grapes.

  • Harvest: All grapes are meticulously hand-harvested and sorted.

  • Vinification: He favors carbonic maceration for many of his wines, which helps to create a vibrant, fruit-forward style with soft tannins. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats.

  • Aging & Bottling: The wines are aged in the cellar before being bottled unfined and unfiltered, ensuring that all the life and complexity of the wine are preserved.

Signature Wines to Discover

The wines of Mas Coutelou are known for their vibrant fruit, energetic acidity, and pure expression of the Languedoc.

  • Classe – A blend of Carignan and Syrah, known for its juicy fruit and classic Languedoc character.

  • Coutelou – A pure Carignan that showcases the depth and complexity of old vines.

  • Cuvée 3, Cuvée 7, Cuvée 8, etc. – Jean-François often names his cuvées with numbers to reflect the blend or vintage, but they all share his signature style of purity and drinkability.

Visit & Connect

Mas Coutelou is a working winery and a private home. Visits are by appointment only. Due to his legendary status and the demand for his wines, it may be difficult to schedule a visit.

  • Address: 12 Rue des Écoles, 34480 Puimisson, France.