Legendary Languedoc winemaker Aimé Guibert dies

Renowned Languedoc winemaker Aimé Guibert, the founder of Mas de Daumas Gassac, has died at the age of 91.

The Guibert family

Born in Millau in 1924, Aimé was a successful glovemaker working in Paris before deciding to purchase land, previous owned by the Daumas family, in the Gassac Valley. It was here, in the Languedoc’s Aniane commune, that Aimé, along with his wife Veronica, planted Mas de Daumas Gassac’s first vineyard in 1974. The couple’s first vintage was the 1978, which at the time was dubbed by French press as the “Lafite of the Languedoc”.

Over the next four decades, Guibert worked to position Mas de Daumas Gassac, as the “Grand Cru” of the Languedoc, living up to its name by gaining recognition as one of the region’s top producers, with Guibert often credited for a qualitative renewal of wine from the languedoc.

Based in the Languedoc, its wines are classified as Vin de Pays de l’Hérault due to its use of grape varieties outside the specifications of its AOC. Its 50 hectares comprise predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot noir, Tannat, Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto. White varieties include Chardonnay, Viognier and Petit Manseng, but also Marsanne, Roussane, Chenin blanc, Sercial, and Muscat.

The family confirmed Guibert’s passing in a statement via its website, which said ended with the phrase, “one can only give two things to his children: roots and wings”.

He leaves behind his wife, Veronica, and their five children, along with four children from a previous marriage. Today, Mas de Daumas Gassac is run by his son, Samuel Guibert with his siblings Roman, Gaël and Basile.

A religious celebration will take place in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert’s Abbey on Wednesday, 18 May at 11am.