The Gayda estate, in the Aude department, has been dedicated to freedom under the Pays d’Oc PGI since its foundation in 2004. Its iconic cuvée, Le Chemin de Moscou, will celebrate its twentieth vintage in 2026: the unbroken success of a ‘premium’ wine that defies convention.

From South Africa to the Aude

Tim Ford, Anthony Record and the Frenchman Vincent Chansault met in South Africa. But it was in France – specifically in Brugairolles, near Carcassonne in the Aude – that they came together to found the Gayda estate. This historic estate – traces of which can be found dating back to its founding as a coaching inn in 1749 – had become a farm, planted with sunflowers, when they bought it in 2004.

The trio established a wine estate with respect for the environment: organic, with sustainable practices, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. They planted the region’s typical grape varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault) alongside those they favour (Chenin, Cabernet Franc). Over time, the estate expanded to include nearby plots on a variety of soil types (limestone, sandstone, schist), within the Minervois la Livinière appellation and in Roussillon. They are building a new winery in 2023, comprising an ageing cellar with barrels, jars and egg-shaped vats, as well as a shop and a restaurant. Their registered address is Chemin de Moscou; the name comes from a landmark tree used by Aéropostale pilots. The tree is no longer there, but the name has remained and is the name of their prestige cuvée, the estate’s flagship wine.

Le Chemin de Moscou, 20th vintage

Vincent Chansault has been making the estate’s wines since the very beginning. For the flagship cuvée, the vision has been clear from the very first vintage in 2006. The foundation is based on Syrah, a grape variety he is particularly fond of. The harvests from the various terroirs are aged separately in barrels for 20 months. The best are then blended, supplemented by a third of Grenache and Cinsault, and the result of this subtle work returns for 12 months of ageing in the same containers.

© Agence VinyeraDepending on the year and the weather, Vincent Chansault adjusts the harvest date and the blend of grape varieties so that the wine reflects the vintage. The winemaker explains that the cuvée has thus evolved over time: “We’ve changed our winemaking approach to refine the style. Twenty years ago, we wanted opulent wines. Today, we focus more on the grapes and less on the ageing process ’. From 2006, the first vintage of Chemin de Moscou, to 2023, currently on sale, we taste a wine with a profile of red fruits and spices, with body and freshness that demonstrate its ageing potential.

In the Pays d’Oc IGP, with boldness and complete freedom

From the very beginning, the founders of Gayda opted for the Pays d’Oc IGP, which offers the freedom to break the mould: “by allowing us to highlight our approach to winemaking and to develop our own style without having to follow a prescribed method,” explains Vincent Chansault.

Le Chemin de Moscou has proved an undeniable success, having won numerous awards within the Pays d’Oc IGP. Other wines from Domaine Gayda, whether single-varietal or blends, are also regularly selected for collections following blind tastings. “Domaine Gayda’s relationship with the Pays d’Oc IGP is a long-standing one… which can continue without the journey ever ending,” concludes Tim Ford. Over the past 20 years, the Pays d’Oc IGP has made it possible to create a great Languedoc wine, in complete freedom.


Anne-Sophie Thérond

Terre de Vins : article