If walls could speak: Thanks to its solid construction, the Château de Frausseilles has survived many turbulent times and is now considered a historical jewel of the south-west of France. The Count's winery is located on the Cordais plateau in the north of the Gaillac, a forgotten wine region in south-west France. Embedded in a gentle hilly landscape along the river Tarn, the plateau with its barren soil is considered the best terroir in the region with ideal conditions for great wines. First mentioned in a document in the 15th century and probably built much earlier, Ferdinand Graf von Thun had the weather-beaten building lovingly renovated after acquiring it in 1998 and restored it to its splendour.

dr Riccardo Cotarella is considered one of the most renowned oenologists in Italy and around the world "Il Mago" known. The creations of his magic include wine icons such as the Merlot "Montiano" from his own family winery Falesco in Lazio, the "Montevetrano" and Galardi's "Terra di Lavoro" from Campania. Time and time again, the internationally sought-after wine magician manages to elicit top-quality wines from previously unrecognized regions.

This - and his enthusiasm for the Gaillac region - make Dr. Cotarella became the perfect ally for Ferdinand Graf von Thun: he has been involved in the wine adventure "Comte de Thun" from the very beginning. He is supported on site by his small, experienced team. In a personal conversation with Riccardo Cotarella, he reveals why he is so impressed by von Thun's terroir and reveals the secrets of his art.