ANJOU

DOMAINE DELESVAUX – Saint Aubin de Luigné

This domain of 11 ha practices agro forestry which preserve biodiversity and offer natural living conditions to flora and wildlife. 

 The wines are completely natural: no oenogical product,no chaptalization, no fining, no filtering on reds (a light one on whites), and very little volcanic sulphite when bottling. Philippe and Catherine Delesvaux are considered among the Loire’s elite Chenin Blanc producers since they established their domain in the early 1980’s.

SAUMUR

DOMAINE DE LA PALEINE – Saumur

www.domaine-paleine.com

Laurence & Marc Vincent keen lover of the Loire founded this domain with a wish to express the variety of the Saumur terroirs.  The domain  is  from the 2018 vintage biodynamic certified and proudly mature in their Tuffeau underground cellars new and older vintages.  

DOMAINE DU VAL BRUN – Parnay

www.valbrun.com

Eric Charruau is not one looking the spotlight yet his wines deserve a better recognition. A shame some would say when  one knows that part of Eric’s production is sold to better established domains which gain the press appraisal. Eric makes genuinely appealing Cabernet Franc wines. His red scream of fresh crunchy berry fruits, without the rusticity and green notes often associated with Cabernet Franc grown in the region. This is a family domain whose origins as wine growers date back to 1722.

DOMAINE FABIEN DUVEAU – Saumur

www.le-garage-fontevraud.com

Fabien Duveau established in Chacé for eight generations, is a winemaker from father to son. Its 20hectare farm is based in the heart of the Saumur Champigny appellation. Currently being converted to organic farming, it was from the start of his activity that Fabien wanted to work the land as before, to promote the tradition by taking back the old tools of his grandfather.

Combining tradition and terroirs, he produces wines that are both traditional and atypical.

BOURGUEIL

DOMAINE YANNICK AMIRAULT – Bourgueil 

www.yannickamirault.fr

Benoit Amirault represents the 4th generation. Yet his father Yannick is still very much involved in the running of the domain and making of the wines. The reputation of the domain is well established as the wines have garnered great acclaim over the years with the Cabernet Franc being full of typicity without the rusticity often associated with that varietal. The domain spreads over 19 ha but is very fragmented enabling for the making of different cuvées to express the variety of terroir.   La Source; mainly on sandy based soil with a more precocious fruit profile and still plenty of intensity. La Mine; gravel soils giving wines of balance with this inspiring graphite touch. La Coudraye; classic Bourgueil from a combination of different lieux-dits. Le Grand Clos, historically classified as a Cru. Beautifully harmonious and complete. Les Quartiers; a very calcareous soil that translates into a wine with great purity. La Petite Cave; a tiny holding of no more than 1,5ha with 50 years old vines producing a wine of long aging capacity. Les Malgagnes; the emblematic wine most demanding in its making but never disappoints.  All the wines are certified Organic and the domain applies biodynamic principles without relying on one specific school of thought.

DOMAINE AURELIEN REVILLOT – Bourgueil  

www.aurelienrevillot.com

A mere 2,3 ha domain that is produing refined fine wines under the expert hands of young Aurélien Revillot. A native from Burgundy though not from a winemaking family, Aurélien Revillot developed a passion for vinegrowing and winemaking and went onto studying in Dijon before acquiring experiences in France in as great domain at DRC but also internationally in South Africa and Oregon with Domaine Drouhin. He returned to France 2009 and decided to settle with his family in the Loire Valley. He worked for a few years at a known domaine in Bourgueil before deciding to fully dedicate his time and energies to his own domain. His Bourgueil sur Les Hauts  range from 30 to 50 year old vines on mid-slopes with clay-limestone based soils. His St Nicolas de Bourgueil Le Clos is a tiny 0,90 ha planted in 1990 on limestone covered by gravels whilst his Bourgueil Les Aubuis vines (0,60 ha) planted in the 1980’s is found on a terraced slope with complex white and yellow limestone mixed with clay. Finally, his Grand Mont which is not produced every year is from a cool site of clay-limestone soils on the plateau of Benais.

The different parcels are all certified organic and worked according to biodynamic principles with Aurélien using specific preparations to work his land. Aurélien wines are very fine, textural and have become the darling of sommeliers and connoisseurs. The only problem being… availability is limited!

SANCERRE

DOMAINE ANDRE NEVEU – Chavignol

This 13,5 ha family domain is run by Valérie Neveu and her husband Thomas Dezat  which they took over from her father back in 1997. Valérie represents the third generation and with her husband she has helped express the best of their beautifully located vineyards right in the heart of the appelation. They hold 1,5 ha of pure Chavignol calcareous based soil producing the Longue Fins ; a textbook Chavignol wine with a persistent and dynamic minerality. They feel privileged with their 90 acres of vines on the reputed Les Monts Damnés hills. Here vines produce a wine for the long haul who see no heavy winemaking to reflect the pure quality of the terroir.

Le Manoir Vieilles Vignes is a wine  from 60 years old vines planted in Chavignol and Verdigny.

The domain red Sancerre offering includes an unoaked Grand Fricambault and the more aspirational Le Manoir Vieilles Vignes which has been matured in oak for a few months.

DOMAINE ROSSIGNOLE – Verdigny-en-Sancerre

The Cherrier family has been growing grapes since 1848 and making wines since 1927; The domain nowadays is run by brothers Francois and Jean-Marie Cherrier. Working with great knowledge and regard of their environment, they make very typical wines of their appellation that combines the quality of Sancerre’s different terroirs; silex, terres blanches and caillotes (chalk-clay).

DOMAINE JEAN MARC & MATHIEU CROCHET – Bué

www.jeanmarc-mathieu.crochet.com

 Those sophisticated Sancerre wines offer a tauter expression of the Sauvignon grape. Made by father and son Jean-Marc and Mathieu. The wines best reveal themselves alongside food. The Chêne Marchand is a tiny production from one of Sancerre’s revered site.

 MENETOU SALON

DOMAINE DE BELLEVUE – Chemery  

www.raphaelmidoir.com

Raphael Midoir represents the 5th generation of this family owned domaine of 27ha in the heart of the region. He produces Sauvignon Blanc wines with classic varietal profile whether under the AOP Touraine, Menetou Salon, Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé. With vines aged between 5 to 35 years, the work in the vineyard is made scrupulously to optimise ripeness whilst retaining an adequate fruit and structure balance so important in the region.

Domaine Ghislain Kohut –

DOMAINE ALAIN MICHELOT – Nuits-Saint-Georges

www.alainmichelot.com

Located right in the heart of the appellation, this family domain has been aptly run by Elodie Michelot for over two decades. Elodie represents the fourth generation. The vineyards spread over 7ha in Nuits-Saint-Georges and the family also owns just half a hectare in Morey Saint Denis. Since 2010, Elodie and his team have also been entrusted to look after a parcel and make wines from a most suitably located plot in Clos Vougeot. The style of the wines is a nice contrast to what the appellation has tended to offer over the last decades. You will not find forced, over extracted, over oaked Pinot Noir wines here. With half the holdings in 1er Cru, the wines display all the attributes from such respected Climats and reflect their origins yet with grace and a quintessential harmony between fruits and structure. The tannins are beautifully integrated and the wines beautifully textured. Cherry on the cake the domain still has older vintages…albeit offered sparingly.

Domaine Henri Magnien – Gevrey Chambertin –  www.henrimagnien.com

Charles Magnien took over in 1999, bringing to the Domaine an incredible momentum which means that today, we can not talk about Gevrey serious producers without considering Charles’ wines. Viticulture has been part of the Magnien family since the beginning of the 18th century and the Magniens have over the decades acquired plots on most renowned climats. Whether on the Lavaux St Jacques, Estournelles St Jacques, Cazetiers, Champeaux, and Ruchottes (the only producer with vines on both Haut and Bas Ruchottes), the wines of the domain are nowadays increasingly sought after. From the limited produced Bourgogne Pinot Noir Les Moutiers to the Villages all the way to the Cru Charles wines are making their marks are indisputably part of the top league.

DOMAINE DESAUNEY BISSEY – Vosne Romanée

Bruno Desaunay, with his father-in law, Daniel Bissey run this small family estate that have own several parcels of very old vines in Vosne (80 years), Echezeaux (110 years) Grands-Echezeaux (70 years), Chambolle (90 years), and Nuits St. Georges (60 years).  Since 2007 Bruno uses no herbicides or pesticides, all the soil are tilled and Bruno’s winemaking is very terroir-expressive. He does short pre-fermentation maceration, using indigenous yeasts, and is not a fan of obtrusive winemaking technics nor of too much extraction.  Ageing is spent in 1/3 new except and a tad more new oak for the Grands Crus depending on the vintages.  The wines are neither fined nor filtered.  The resulting wines are decidedly very Burgundy like very pure Pinot Noir fruits. They are perfumed and the balance between flavours and tannins is exquisite. We all know how hard it has become to find Vosne Romanée wines that offer wines with prices that are not over the odds…and if on top of that the style is beautifully Burgundy…Me I say…j’adore!!

DOMAINE REMI JEANNIARD – Morey Saint Denis

A tiny domain of 6ha, run by the enthusiastic and quality-orientated Rémi and his wife. After a first harvest at Domaine Ponsot many years ago, Rémy decided to focus on bringing out the best from his own vines creating nothing forced but just naturally elegant and intense Pinot Noir wines. Les Ruchots is to be found south of the appellation which is separated from the Clos de Tart and Bonnes-Mares by the Route des Grands Crus that runs through the village towards Chambolle. Clos des Ormes further north on the Gevrey border. With the 2019 comes the release of a new wine…Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Blanchards. This parcel was planted by the Jeanniard in 1953 but the grapes used to be sold. A site located below the village which Rémi is delighted to be making wine from.

DOMAINE VINCENT JEANNIARD – Pommard 

The domain was created from scratch by Vincent back in 2012 after he graduated from the Dijon lycée viticole and following a few years gaining work experiences at esteemed domains such as Bouchard Père et Fils and De Montille. Vincent partly owns or works ‘en fermage’ vineyards that nowadays amount to 2,5 ha spread over different appellations. Currently in his first year of organic conversion, Vincent makes the wines with minimal intervention and the red wines are worked the same way as to best express the quality of each terroir. The wines are not fined, filtered and use of oak is kept to a maximum of 20%.  The Bourgogne Pinot Noir is from vines form Pommard old vines. His Bourgogne Blanc Les Aures is one of the wine with Chardonnay planted in the Pommard appellation. His Hautes Cotes de Beaune vineyard is complanted with Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc giving welcomed vivacity in the wines. The Pommard wine is partly from les Petit Noizons parcels whilst the Savigny vines are from the reknown Les Planchots climat. A small domain expressing integrity.

DOMAINE JACQUES CARILLON 

Puligny Montrachet –

www.jacques-carillon.com

Tradition is the watchword here – hardly surprising for a family that can trace its viticultural genealogy back to 1632.

After the 2009 vintage Louis Carillon’s two sons, Jacques and François, have decided to go their own ways. Jacques is the eldest of the two brothers and has a deep understanding of his vineyards. A humble man at heart, his wines reflect his personality in that they do not scream of winemaking artifices -making them probably less visible on the wine world scene- Nonetheless, Jacques’ domaine has been one of the most successful and consistent domaines in Puligny Montrachet over the last decades. The wines have a striking purity of fruit, are beautifully understated, and beautifully precise. When compared to the strength in depth to be found in Meursault and Chassagne, there are relatively few producers in the first division in Puligny. Some obvious names garner the mediatic attention, but the wines from Jacques Carillon are their equal and often the best of their type. A definite must have!

DOMAINE LUDOVIC ET EMILIEN BONNARDOT –

www.domaine-bonnardot.fr  

The two brothers Ludovic and Emilien joined forces in 2006. By the gradual recovery of vines in Côte and Hautes Côtes de Beaune, they naturally continued the work undertaken by their parents Elisabeth and Christophe who were already installed on the historic plots of the estate. After vinifying for 4 years on the family farm in Bonnencontre, they had the opportunity to settle in a winery in the heart of the vineyard, in Saint Aubin. Their aim is to perpetuate the history of this family of winegrowers established in Burgundy since 1470.

The domain is increasingly working their vineyards organically aiming to preserve the richness and the life of the soils. The average age of the vineyards is 40 years. Cordon de Royat (traditional pruning of Santenay and Maranges) and Guyot simple are the two pruning systems used in the vineyards. Manual harvest is in boxes with  sorting of the grapes at reception. Vinification is traditional with 12 to 18 months aging in oak casks and natural settling in barrel, no filtration nor fining is carried out. The white wine are barrel fermented with aging from 12 to 22 months in oak casks, natural settling in barrel, light filtration before bottling.  As much as possible no added sulfites is used at this domain.

MAISON JANOTSBOS – Meursault

www.janotsbos.eu

Thierry Janots is French, and Richard Bos is Dutch. They met when studying oenology at Beaune back in the mid-90’s. Joining forces in 2005 to create their now respected négoce house JanotsBos. Thierry has been able to draw from his winemaking experience after working at numerous well-reputed domains in the CÔte d’Or whilst Richard who is also a trained winemaker looks after the vineyards to ensure that their contract growers work according to their strict quality standards.

DOMAINE SEBASTIEN MAGNIEN  – Meursault

In his mid-thirties Sebastien Magnien has vinegrowing in his blood for he represents the fourth generation of vinegrowers. Whilst he initially founded the present domain with his mother, he now runs it with his wife; also a trained winemaker. This 12ha estate is located right in the heart of Meursault. Sebastien owns some well-sited Climats (lieux dits) in the appellation; Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Puligny-Montrachet, Saint Romain and in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. His traditional approach to working the vineyards and working in the cellar make for a very pure and elegant expression of both his Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.  Authentic wines for an authentic producer.

DOMAINE NINOT – Rully  

www.domaineninot.com

The Ninot family have been either barrel makers or vignerons with a history dating back to the XIV century…but when Erell and Flavien Ninot’s father inherited the domain…He was only 14…with sheer determination and dedication to his land he succeeded in keeping the domain. Erell joined him and was recently seconded by his brother Flavien. Nowadays they run the domain with the same commitment to quality and respect to their terroir. Their 13 hectares domain is entirely converted to organic viticulture. A different style to JBPonsot wines which has also garnered a nice following with restaurateurs and amateurs alike for the wines exhibit a refreshing purity with mineral undertones for both colors.

DOMAINE JEAN BAPTISTE PONSOT – Rully

The domain was founded in 1954 by Lucien Ponsot. It was his son Bernard and today his grandson Jean- Baptiste that developed the domain gaining along the way a strong following for the quality of the wines across the range. Jean-Baptiste started to run the domain at the tender age of 20 but knew that quality was

the only way to go and that was by starting with meticulous work in the vineyards. He planted some vines in unexploited family parcels and nowadays works 8.5 hectares. Two third of which are 1er Cru in both colors.  The wines are matured in oaked (up to 30% new depending on the year) for 12 months and up to 6 months in tanks before being released. The wines are beautifully crafted and have helped in getting the spotlight onto an appellation that has become a definite stop-by region in recent years.

DOMAINE DES DEUX ROCHES – Davayé

www.collovrayterrier.com

No introduction needed here, as Jean-Luc Terrier and brother-in-law Christian Collovray are known across the world for their very successful domain wines. Lesser known but representing the new generation is Julien Collovray (Christian’s son); In the history of Collovray & Terrier, Joanny Collovray is the first link in a chain of four generations. He cultivated vineyards in and around Davayé from 1928. His passion for the land has been passed through the generations and It is now embodied in the person of his great-grand-son Julien Collovray. Julien has worked the family vineyards since 2009 according to the principles of organic farming.

Julien is Christian Collovray’son. The latter being behind the respected Domaine des Deux Roches and Collovray & Terrier trading company set up with childhood friend Jean-Luc Terrier.

DOMAINE CARETTES – Vergisson

www.domainecarrette.com

A family owned domain run by the young couple Nicolas and Nathalie. Situated right in the Vergisson appellation, the 13 ha domaine exclusively produces white wines under the Macon, Saint Véran and Pouilly Fuissé appellation. Their specific Climats allow them to express the terroirs with accuracy. 

DOMAINE GRAND –

Passenans

www.domaine-grand.plugwine.com

Emmanuel Grand had been working in the family domain since 1997 before he and his wife Nathalie decided in 2015 to create their own domain. They did not have to look far to get access to quality vines. Emmanuel great grandfather’s best Chardonnay vines were to become part of their vineyard holdings.

Long convinced of the benefits to work with the environment, they structured their domain to remain not only family managed but also to allow for an integral conversion to organic viticulture. 

The domain spreads over the best communes Passenans, Saint-Lothain, Arbois, and Ménétru-le-Vignoble.  The Côtes du Jura produces Trousseau Le Mont Royal on the marne soil.  Chardonnay La Grande Chaude is to be found on the rare red marne. The Pinot Noir En Prêle benefits from a calcareous based soil giving elegance and fruitiness.

Arbois, the Jura wine capital produces here the Savagnin Naturé wines from grey marne. Both Ménétru-Le-Vignoble with its inspiring landscape and the appellation Lothain offer a richness in the soil that the domain greatly exploits to respectively make their Vin Jaune Château-Chalon et Vin Jaune Côtes du Jura. Both are signature wines of the Grand domain.

DOMAINE ROCHE GUILLON – Fleurie

www.rocheguillon.coperet.pagesperso-orange.fr 

A family owned domain, making extremely satisfying wines from Gamay. Bruno and Valérie Coporet are the fourth generation at this domaine, owning 9 hectares of vines perfectly located right in the heart of the gentling rolling hills of Fleurie. This domain is enjoying a loyal following for its amiable yet uncompromised style. Fleurie La Tonne vinyeards is located between Moulin à Vent and Chiroubles. Subsoil granite, sandy soil with vines averaging 45 years old. Fleurie Clos de la Tour vines are on gently rolling hills with granite-based soil from 60 years old vines. The south-east facing exposure combined with an altitude of over 350 metres ensure the vines yield ripe enough grapes whilst retaining a delicate aroma and structure typical of the appellation.

DOMAINE DES NUGUES – Fleurie

www.domainedesnugues.com

A different style of Beaujolais is produced here, with longer élevage adding savoury notes to the Cru wines whilst retaining the pure fruit style of Gamay. They also produce a very enticing white Beaujolais, a rarity in the appellation, with a quality that easily challenges some more expensive Chardonnay from their better known Burgundian neighbors further north.

DOMAINE GAGET – Morgon

www.domaine-gaget.fr

A family domain run by Mikaël Gaget and located on the Côte du Py, one of the most reputed terroir of the Cru Morgon. The Côte de Py site is found in the south of Villié Morgon right above the hamlet de Haut Morgon. Withon only 358 m of elevation this site can produce wines of intense aromatic depth.

DOMAINE PIERRE GONON – Mauve  

This domain is seen as ‘the’ domain in the appellation and was founded in 1956 by Pierre Gonon. In 1989, Pierre Gonon handed over the direction of this revered 6ha family domain to his sons, Jean and Pierre. Both brothers are working with great assiduity their land following organic practices and using horses the plough the very steep vineyards, located in prime sites.

DOMAINE CHRISTIAN ROUCHIER – Saint-Jean-de Muzols 

www.domaine-rouchier.e-monsite.com  2.5 ha vineyards worked by horse by Christian Rouchier. Christian is one of those vignerons who offers a real authenticity both in his demeanor and his approach to vine growing and wine making. No artifice here, nothing added, nothing forced and Christian makes a point in treating both his Le Luc and Le Chave the same, the differences are thus a reflection of the terroir. The vines are superbly located high in the hills of St Jean-de-Muzols. The wines are certified organic since 2013. With this vintage came Christian’s decision to vinify separately his lieu-dits ‘Le Luc’ and Le Chave’.  Le Luc is on Gneiss/Granite soils whilst Le Chave is on Granite/Gneiss. Made in the same way (vinified with stems, aged in demi-muids, no intrant, no added sulphur) both wines are exhibiting differences in their structure and intensity of aromas.  

Christian released two Vin de France 2018; a Syrah made from a mix of younger vines and some older vines from the Le Puat lieu dit. Comes 2019 and Le Puat vines will be vinified separately. The Vin de France White is made from a blend of Chasselas, Marsanne with Viognier. A wine that is textural, with definite volume yet with no heaviness (courtesy of the Chasselas)? A white Rhône that would nicely stand up to cream based dishes. 

DOMAINE NICOLAS BADEL – Vernosc  

The domain spreads over 7 hectares.  Nicolas Badel works alone and tirelessly to produce the finest wines possible from his terroir. His labels feature a reproduction of the Roman coins from 75 BC that were found in the Intuition vineyard during planting.

Nicolas is an engineer but decided to dedicate his life to vines and wines and starting from scratch in 1999, he has since established himself as a key producer in the region.

The winery is located near Vernosc-lès-Annonay, high above the Rhône tributary Cance. He made his reputation with Intuition a testimony to his commitment to expressing the best of his vines

All his wines from his friendly Syrah and Viognier to his IGP, AOP Condrieu and Saint Joseph offering show the same elegance and invitation to the senses with no intrant and unecessary sulphur added during vinification.

Domaine Franck Balthazar – Cornas

Franck is probably one of the most reputed domain in the appellation. The quality of the wines is testimony to the dedicated work in the vineyards. This tiny domain has become in the last decade a must-have.

DOMAINE EMMANUEL DARNAUD – La Roche de Glun

www.emmanueldarnaud.com

Emmanuel Darnaud had made a name for himself way before marrying into the Bernard Faurie family. He established his own domain back in 2001 in the Roche de Glun quarter of the Crozes Hermitage appellation and had slowly increased his vineyard holding in the appellation. Les Trois Chènes refers to oak trees where his vineyard is.  He In the last few years he purchased one of the prime sites from his father in law – lieu- dit Les Dardouille in Saint-Joseph adding to the domain high quality range of wines.

MAINE JACQUES BREYTHON – Beaumont Monteux   

www.domaine-breyton.com

Certified organic and biodynamic since 2002 this domain of 8ha located in the south of the appellation is offering some exciting Crozes Hermitage wines. It was great unravelling this small family domain managed by Jacques Breyton. The wines are made from non-destemmed grapes with the Tradition fermented in stainless steel to preserve the primary Syrah aromas and the ‘Futs de Chene’ is aged in large oak for less than a year just enough to add an extra layer of spicy complexity to the wine. 

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE

DOMAINE DES SAUMADES – Courthézon

This tiny 2ha domain located in Courthézon is aptly run by husband and wife Franck et Murielle Mousset. The grapes are to be found in the reputed lieu-dit Pignan whose sandy based soil provides the 100% Grenache grapes with beautiful elegance. Matured in aged barrels for a year both the red and white wines from this domain reveal intense fruits and grace. The white is 50 % grenache blanc, 25 % clairette, 25 % bourboulenc and has an inviting onctuosity and salivating minerality. Both offerings are definite food wines!

GIGONDAS

DOMAINE BASTIDE SAINT VINCENT – Violès

Flanking the evocatively named Dentelles de Montmirail, with vines on the equally evocative Plateau des Garrigues, La Bastide St. Vicent is a delightful, family-owned wine domaine with 17th-century origins.

Laurent Daniel farms the famous trio – Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvdre grapes, vinifying them separately in a combination of cement and stainless steel. He keeps temperatures relatively low to allow full and generous expression of the fruit flavours.

COTE DU RHONE

DOMAINE FOND CROZE – Saint-Romain de Malegarde 

www.domaine-fondcroze.com

Côte du Rhone wines abound but sourcing good Côte du Rhone ticking all the boxes with regards to pure fruits that are not overworked at attractive prices is a challenge. The vineyards at Fond Croze are domain owned and farmed organically with their quality remaining consistent year in year out. The vines are just outside Cairannes and benefit from a northern exposure and topography bringing this lively energy in the wines; A winning proposition!

DOMAINE PIQUE BASSE – Roaix 

www.picque-basse.com

The name Pique-Basse is inspired by the local name of this area, ‘piquebas’, which roughly translates as ‘low podium’. And, indeed, a number of the plots situated around the cellar are slightly raised, while being part of the Roaix plain. This 12 ha family domain now runs by third generation Olivier Tropet is located in Roaix by the Ventabren massif and opposite Mont-Ventoux.

DOMAINE DE LA MADONNE – Champdieu 

www.lesvinsdelamadonne.fr

Gilles Bonnefoy founded the domain in 1997 and started tworking organically before becoming biodynamic certified in 2009. Gilles Bonnefoy not only wanted to work in unison with the environment but also with grape variety and Gamay variations that were long due a revival for they make inspiring wines. His domain is nowadays the one stop domain for anyone looking for Gamay that expresses the attributes of the local terroir. The vineyards are well exposed to ensure grape maturity with the high altitude conferring an elegant frame to the wine. The Dacite wine is from younger vines whilst the Migmatites is from vieilles vignes of over 45years old.

Domaine Cailhol Gautran – www.domainecailholgautran.com

Nicolas is the fourth generation of this 55ha family estate, which he runs with his wife Olivia in the heart of the Minnervois appellation. Located in the north of the region on the plateau de Cazelles; this area is on its way to be granted its Cru status with its distinct terroir attributes. Domaine Cailhol Gautran is set amongst the rolling countryside of the first foothills of the Massif Central. The hamlet of Cailhol lies in a valley carved out by a river – the Cessière which like the vineyards cut through the limestone Causse of the Haut Minervois. The altitude provides fresh aromatics whilst the nearby garrigue offers plenty of character and spices to the wines.

DOMAINE PIETRI GERAUD – Banuyls

www.domaine-pietri-geraud.com

Established at the end of the XIX Century, the domain is still run by the same family with mother and daughter Maguy and Laetitia now at the helm. Laetitia is the fifth generation who looks over the 20 hectares domain, most of which are planted on the beautiful slopes of Collioure and Banuyls. The difficult schist-based soil of old vines give small yields averaging 22hl/ha resulting in wines with a strong identity. The Banuyls Cuvée Joseph is made the traditional way under a “solera” system. Matured in cement on lees for a year followed by 6 years in large oak. The still red Collioure Sine Nomine cuvée is made from vines up to 100 years old producing a supple yet dense wine with personality.

DOMAINE TERREBRUNE – Ollioule, Bandol  

www.terrebrune.fr

In 1963 George Delille set eyes on the gorgeous area of Ollioule and decided to establish himself in the region to produce wines. Pioneer at the time upon deciding to work the land organically he released his first bottles in the early 1980’s. Reynal has pursued his father’s work and continue to make Bandol wines that are met with great enthusiasm from sommeliers and amateurs. The wines produced are known to reward cellaring. Their wines being their white, rosé and red which have the capacity to age gracefully, retaining elegance, minerality and intensity.

CHÂTEAU DES ANGLADES –  Hyères, Côte de Provence  

www.chateaudesanglades.com Château des Anglades was created in 1852 by the Marquis de Gairoird, also known as the Marquis de Pierrefeu. He was the biggest landowner in the region, but also the owner and creator of the first winery in the region of Gairoird Castle. The castle of the Anglades was his second home. In the late 90s, the Gautier family discovers the abandoned vineyard and acquired it. A major project of replanting and restructuring the estate was then done. Today the domain is run by Olivier Gautier with great enthusiasm and commitment in producing quality wines. The domain spans over 42hectares of which 27 hectares are dedicated to vines which are worked under organic principles (certification in process). Given its geographical location, the Château des Anglades enjoys a unique terroir with a very interesting soil structure. Schists and clay make up the majority of the soil that produce rosé wines with high aromatic potential. Moreover, the microclimate (sea breeze and Mistral) prevails on the soil of Hyères – La Londe the Maures -which has its own AOP – is a definite ally for growing healthy grapes. The domain produces different wines from the three colors with ‘Les Empreintes’ range at the top of the quality selection. Then follows the ‘Château’ range for which the white seems to be a favourite of restaurateurs and amateurs. The ‘A’ range was introduced in the last few years to meet a demand for a more approachable style of wines.