Of all the southern French terroirs, the Limoux region at the Languedoc’s western extremity has those that are best suited to the making of quality Chardonnay. Family-owned since the eighteenth century, the Cassagnau estate owes its longevity to its women. Jacques’ grandmother Berthe, who managed the estate for six decades, took it through two world wars and many a viticultural crises. He inherited this family property from his mother, Jacqueline. Today, it’s thanks to his wife Colette that Jacques, who had chosen to pursue a career in medicine, is able to satisfy his passion for winegrowing and for the terroir in which he grew up. Whenever the vines need him, he swaps his doctor’s coat for winegrower’s gear, driving the tractor, pruning or working in the winery with his oenologist.