List of products by brand DOMAINE BERTHOUMIEU

Based in Viella in the Gers, Domaine Berthoumieu covers 25 hectares across the clay-gravel plateaux and loamy-gravelly slopes of the Madiran appellation. Founded in the 1850s and taken on in the 1990s by Marie-Line and Didier Barré, the estate passed in 2017 to Claire and Marion Bortolussi — the family behind Château Viella — who now farm the whole vineyard in organic conversion and to HVE standard. Tannat is very much at home here: dense and structured on the plateau clays, softened by the gravel of the lower slopes. At Halles Quercamps, we have selected this estate for the rigour of its viticulture, the honesty of its Madiran, and the clear direction its new owners are setting. A Sud-Ouest of real substance, firmly rooted in its terroir.

Established in Viella in the Gers, Domaine Berthoumieu is one of the historic addresses of the Madiran appellation. Taken over in 2017 by Claire and Marion Bortolussi, the estate brings together a long viticultural memory and a resolutely modern approach: 25 hectares now farmed in organic conversion and certified HVE.

A long history, a recent change of hands

Domaine Berthoumieu traces its origins to the 1850s, when Virgile Dutour planted the first vines on this Sud-Ouest terroir. More than a century later, the estate was taken on in the 1990s by Marie-Line and Didier Barré, who built its reputation as one of the more serious producers in the Madiran appellation. In 2017, Claire and Marion Bortolussi — daughters of the family that owns the neighbouring Château Viella — acquired the estate and set about combining that inherited expertise with their own ambitions. The continuity is deliberate: the Bortolussi family already knew this land intimately, and the transition has been one of deepening rather than disruption.

Terroir: plateau and slope, clay and gravel

The 25 hectares of Domaine Berthoumieu sit across two distinct landforms. The plateau soils are clay-rich and stony — heavy, retentive ground that pushes Tannat towards concentration and firm tannin structure. The slopes, by contrast, offer a lighter mix of clay, silt and gravel, lending the wines a degree of suppleness and aromatic lift. This interplay between the two soil types gives the estate's Madiran its characteristic architecture: a wine built for the cellar, but not without generosity. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinenc complete the red grape palette, while Petit Manseng is grown for the estate's white wines.

Organic conversion and HVE certification

Since taking over, Claire and Marion Bortolussi have committed the entire vineyard to organic conversion, alongside HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification — a dual approach that reflects both ecological conviction and a desire for transparency with their customers. In the winery, the emphasis is on respecting the character of each parcel and allowing the Tannat to express itself without heavy-handed intervention.

The wine range at Domaine Berthoumieu

• Madiran (rouge) — The estate's heartland: Tannat-led reds with the density and structure that define the appellation at its best. Several cuvées, ranging from approachable early-drinking styles to wines built for longer ageing.
• Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh / Blanc (Petit Manseng) — Dry or off-dry whites from Petit Manseng, offering the aromatic richness and natural acidity that make this corner of the Sud-Ouest so compelling for white wine lovers.

Why we have selected Domaine Berthoumieu

We first looked seriously at Domaine Berthoumieu when Claire and Marion Bortolussi took the reins. What struck us was not simply the quality of the wines — which was already well established — but the clarity of their project: a commitment to organic farming, a respect for the estate's long history, and a genuine understanding of what Madiran can be at its most expressive. The terroir here is serious, and the winemaking does not get in the way of it. These are wines for the cellar as much as the table, and they reward patience. We would suggest them to anyone who appreciates structured, food-friendly reds with real regional identity — think slow-roasted lamb, duck confit, or a well-aged hard cheese. For those building a collection of South-West French wines, Domaine Berthoumieu is a name worth knowing.

Explore the wines of Domaine Berthoumieu

Browse the full selection of Madiran and white wines from this Sud-Ouest estate in the range listed below, and find the cuvée that suits your cellar or your table.