Even small villages in France often have a ‘Cave Cooperative’ (communal wine-making facility). Many were built in the 1930s - the one in our village (which also serves the nearby villages of Mus and Vergèze) was built in 1939. Until this year, a total of 527 members, who cultivate a total of 800 hectares of vines, took their grapes to the cave. About 60,000 hectolitres of table wine were produced.

Today was the last chance to visit the old site (and to also visit the new one)

The new cave is about a kilometer away, the other side of the main road. It has a capacity of 80,000 hectolitres per year (with a strong emphasis on organic wines), and is one of the most high-tech wineries in the world. Total cost €15 million.

Some photos here of both the old and the new.