Four generations of the Sauer family were vigneron in Algeria before André and his son, Jean-Luc, wisely moved back to France in the early 1960s. (Interestingly, the term "vigneron" refers to someone who grows grapes and makes wine. There are no words in French to distinguish between these functions.) They purchased Château Haut-Fabrègues in the town of Cabrerolles, which lies in the department of Herault (Languedoc) just west of the Rhône.

Château Haut-Fabrègues originally belonged to the Knights of Malta from the time of the Crusades until the French Revolution, and its wines were highly thought of in the courts of Europe. The Cordier family owned it in the mid-1800s. Although they enlarged and improved the vineyard, the phylloxera infestation soon devastated it, as well as most of the Languedoc. When the Sauers took over, they found the estate and much of Herault to be producing mediocre wines. They reintroduced quality to the property as they completely refurbished the estate and gradually replanted 49 hectares of vines. Their example was followed by other owners in the area. Château Haut-Fabrègues now has 75.5 hectares (186.5 acres) under vine. André has passed away, and Jean-Luc's son, Cedric, has taken an active role.

The vineyard part of the estate is restricted to the south-facing slopes of the foothills of the Cévennes where the soil is exclusively schistose. The average yield is a low 35 hectoliters per hectare. The Cuvée Tradition is a blend of 35% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and 10% Cinsault. The Carignan portion was fermented using carbonic maceration for softness and fruitiness; the remainder was fermented traditionally for structure and complexity. The wine was aged 18 months in large foudre. After two years of bottle aging, it has a very expressive bouquet. Ripe fruit and a rounded texture are evident, and it shows vitality, complexity, and an impressively long finish. It is clearly a wine to enjoy with barbecued steaks.