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World's biggest vine collection on the move

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Domaine de Vassal vine collection; photo ©F.Espinasse

Under threat from the rising Mediterranean, Domaine de Vassal’s internationally renowned vinous heritage is finally being relocated, Louise Hurren reports.

The 150-year-old Domaine de Vassal ampelographic collection features 4,200 grape varieties from 57 countries. Currently located near Sète, in southern France’s Languedoc region, this unique, world-class collection of 8,500 accessions* of vine plants is being moved to a safer spot, and the operational phase of the relocation has just begun.

Conserving vine diversity

Built on the coast at Marseillan-Plage, Domaine de Vassal houses the Grapevine Biological Resources Centre (CRB-Vigne), a collection of genetic material like no other. According...

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