Domaine de La Réserve d'O

France, Languedoc-Roussillon

Marie and Frederic Chauffray used to run a wine shop, but after studying agronomics, Marie became interested in growing grapes to make her very own wine. In 2004, she discovered a unique, original vineyard situated 400 metres up in the hills overlooking the Vallée de l’Hérault within the appellation Terrasses du Larzac. She was ecstatic. With her husband, Frédéric, they created “La Reserve d’O,” which they have farmed biodynamically from day one. All of the vines on this 12.5 hectares of soils sit on their own roots in poor, stony clayey-calcareous soils. The plateau upon which they sit is swept daily by the Mistral, a serious north wind from the Mediterranean. This special "climat" gives their wines a freshness and originality which differentiate them from the other wines of the area. All work in the vineyard is by hand. The vines now average 30 years of age and are composed of 50% Grenache, 44% Syrah and 6% Cinsault. Their wines are certified organic and biodynamic by Ecocert and Demeter. This way of working with minimal intervention and minimal impact on the environment now also includes the labels and bottles used here. Gone are the beautifully coloured and textured labels of old - replaced with classic designs in black and white on recycled paper - they bring to mind the great labels of wines from Domaine de la Romanée Conti!

Marie and Frederic Chauffray used to run a wine shop, but discovered this original vineyard 400 metres up in the hills overlooking the Vallée de l'Hérault within the appellation Terrasses du Larzac. The 12.5 hectares of vines sit on their own roots in poor, stony clayey-calcareous soils, swept daily by the Mistral. The vines now average 30 years of ages and are composed of 50% Grenache, 44% Syrah and 6% Cinsault, all farmed organically. L&S