In 2009, Julien Trichard and Sara Hernandez took over a defunct cooperative cellar in Vendémian, a small village in the Hérault, and transformed it into the home of one of southern France's most quietly compelling natural wine projects. Their name, a playful Occitan expression, signals the spirit at work here: no fuss, no rules, just honest wine.
Backstory
Julien and Sara founded Mas Pas Re in 2009, starting with 3.5 hectares and expanding to 9 hectares over time. Their vineyards are split between two distinct communes: the garrigue-covered hills of Gignac to the north, and the clay-limestone plateau of Plaissan to the south. A horse named Kiwi handles much of the vineyard work between rows, minimising compaction on soils the couple tends with great care.
The Region
Vendémian sits in the Hérault, where the Languedoc plains give way to the foothills of the Cévennes. The Mediterranean climate delivers long, dry summers and mild winters, while the garrigue and scrubland surrounding the vineyard parcels contribute aromatic complexity to the ambient environment. Both Gignac and Plaissan bring distinct soil expressions: the former stony and mineral-rich, the latter heavier clay with more water retention.
Vineyards and Farming
The 9 hectares are farmed to the highest organic and biodynamic standards, certified AB (Agriculture Biologique), Demeter, Biodyvin, Nature et Progrès, and S.A.I.N.S. Grape varieties include Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. All harvesting is done by hand, yields are kept low, and the soil is worked to encourage deep root systems and vine resilience.
Winemaking
In the cellar, Julien and Sara apply a strict no-input philosophy. Fermentations are spontaneous, wines are aged in neutral tanks, and nothing is added at any stage: no sulfites, no fining agents, no filtration. Wines are bottled as they are, expressing the raw character of the vintage and the land.
The Wines
The range centres on three principal cuvées. Sur le Pouce is the most approachable: a Carignan and Grenache blend that drinks with energy and ease. Nature Peinture, the estate's signature red, offers more structure and depth, with spice, dark fruit, and a long mineral finish. La Dalle en Pente is their skin-contact white, fermented on skins for several days before pressing and aged without intervention. Cas Burné rounds out the range.
