Fianarantsoa and its Vineyards

Visit to the Clos Malaza Vineyard in Andoharanomaitso

Southwest of Fianarantsoa lies the Clos Malaza vineyard in the village of Ambohimalaza. After traveling 11 km on National Road 7, you will cover 20 km of dirt tracks, passing through a splendid valley full of greenery and rocks, and crossing Betsileo villages. At the Clos Malaza estate, 30 hectares of vineyards are cultivated, yielding approximately 80 tons of grapes annually. This represents an economic asset for the rural municipality of Andoharanomaitso.  

The hybrid grape varieties, imported from the USA, include Petit Bouschet, Sévillard, Chambourcin, and Couderc 13. These varieties produce young wines to be consumed within two years. The company produces dry white, gris, rosé, and red wines, as well as pineapple and orange aperitifs, brandies, and liqueurs.

Everything is well-organized…

In May, women from the village work the soil to remove weeds and use bean cultivation between the rows to enrich the soil with nitrogen. In August, the pruning period marks the beginning of the vine’s growth cycle. The eagerly awaited harvest season occurs in February. Lasting 15 to 20 days, it provides work for people from surrounding villages. Clos Malaza operates as an LLC (SARL) but collaborates with farmers who wish to sell their grape production to the estate. 

A local production 

The wine is produced following French quality standards. After vinification, wine samples are sent to France for analysis.  

The production remains entirely local, as the harvests are insufficient for export. Glass bottles are imported from France; however, they also repurpose used bottles for new uses. Clos Malaza is a beautiful, peaceful place to visit during a stop in Fianarantsoa. The estate also offers guest rooms and activities such as canoeing and hiking. Visiting provides an opportunity to meet the Betsileo people and discover their culture.