Domaine and vineyard

Saint Chinian

Combebelle is located in the heart of AOC St Chinian with 17ha under vine, originally Syrah (70%); Grenache (10%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%). In 2008 we increased the surface area of Grenache by 2.5ha grafting onto existing Cabernet Sauvignon vines which will come into production in 2009. We are now thinking of planting 2ha of white grapes in 2010 which will be in production in 2014, but in the interim we would be interested in purchasing some white grapes from a local organic grower, if he will sell to us that is!

The vines surround the winery, and at 265-300m this is the highest vineyard in St Chinian. Historically, production has been of red wine but in 2006 we introduced our first rosé. Production potential is around 80.000 bottles, the majority of which will be AOC red (unwooded) and AOC “haute de gamme” (barrel aged), with about 25% AOC Rosé. In exceptional years we will produce wine from a single vineyard (parcelle) which most typifies the vintage , grape and unique terroir at Combebelle.

Combebelle has for over a decade successfully combined production of high quality wines with sustainable and environmentally friendly modern Biodynamic methods of viticulture / wine making and is certified by ECOCERT. With effect from the 2007 vintage our domaine and wines will also be certified by NOP (National Organic Programme).
For the last 10 years the previous owners invested in this AOC classified vineyard and improved the quality of the wine, achieving international recognition from Robert Parker with ratings of 92/100 for the wines. Combebelle has also been rated and written about by Jancis Robinson, Monty Waldin, Andrew Jefford and other eminent journalists/authors. Combebelle wines have been stocked by large national retailers and wine specialists such as Waitrose, Oddbins & Balls Brothers in the UK, and Movenpick in Switzerland. Our wines can now be found in several outlets in the UK (Ethical Fine Wines, Vintage Roots, Booths and will be distributed by Bottle Green), Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Ireland.

In 2007, Combebelle wines received multiple Awards in National and International competitions, including Gold from the Concours Mondial Bruxelles, Concours Vignerons Independent, Challenge International du Vin, Signature Bio, and Silver from Decanter World Wine Awards & Concours Vignerons Independent, and a Commendation from the International Wine Challenge. And in 2008, Château de Combebelle AOC St Chinian Rouge 2005 is listed in the prestigious “Guide Hachette”.

In 2008 we continued our medal-winning success with the 2006 vintage.

St Chinian is a village and local marketplace dating back to 825 when a monastery was founded by Saint Anian, possibly on the site of what is today the Mairie. Despite its small area, St Chinian acquired its own AOC status in 1982, in recognition of the quality of viticulture and wines from this unspoilt area in the foothills of the Black Mountains and the Highlands of the Parc Naturel Regional du Haut Languedoc. The appellation covers 20 communes and produces mainly red but also has some white and rosé wines. Unlike many of the Languedoc wines grown extensively on the plains below, the vines grow on rugged hillsides facing the Mediterranean Sea and the distant Pyrenees at an altitude of 100-200m. St Chinian wines have a long-standing reputation going back as far as the 14th century, but the proudly self sufficient area of small villages is less visited or well known.

View the Domaine and vineyards on Google Earth coordinates 43 22‘ 19.66’’ North 2 53’ 05.00’’ East Eye Alt 5000

Our committment

« Top quality wine sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture »

Quality is very important at every stage, and hand picking ensures that only the best grapes are used.

Production volume is kept deliberately very low (25-30hl/ha) to ensure depth, complexity and refinement in the final product.

The quality and health of the grapes is naturally protected by the garrigue and mountains which surround Combebelle. The unspoilt natural environment protects the vines, and in return we protect the biodiversity of our environment by using natural Biodynamic methods and compost, and not using the permitted artificial chemicals and herbicides commonly used in the wine industry.

During 2008 , we planted specific organic plants suited to our soil & environment to enhance the natural biodiversity & ecosystem that already exists in our vineyards. A local beekeeper places hives around the property to encourage further pollination of the local plants and herbs dotted around the property. The honey is available from the vineyard in Summer!

We continue a 10 year practice of sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture
Our knowledgeable and dedicated team has many years experience in combining high quality standards of production with sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture. As a result we have gained certification by the international agency ECOCERT for our sustainable organic methods. For 10 years, Combebelle has used environmentally sustainable, “Biodynamic” techniques to combine traditional natural vineyard care with modern viticulture methods. As a result, Combebelle vineyards are often covered in carpets of flowers and natural herbs which leave a hint of nature in the favours of the wines.

We are more labour-intensive than other vineyards as we prefer to work the soil rather than “feed” it with artificial nutrients and pesticides which can impart their flavour into the wine. Instead, we use organic composts and plough the soil many times through the Autumn immediately post harvest to and provide the right amount of nutrients / protection to the vines and then again in Spring / Summer to aerate the soil to ensure that it remains healthy. This helps to maintain the equilibrium of the local ecosystem and encourages the vines to thrive using natural defences, avoiding unnecessary chemicals to produce quality wine.

Winemaking combines science, art, and skill to handcraft wines that capture the unique characteristics of the rugged and varied terroir, the naturally healthy vines, and the clean high altitude ecosystem.

an exceptional vineyard in a natural unspoiled environment

Combebelle has well established Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes capable of producing red and rosé wines of the highest calibre. We are in good company as nearby there are other St Chinian vineyards producing internationally recognised wines sold widely in France and exported around the world in small quantities.

Our vineyard lies on rugged rocky limestone hillsides which force the vines to search deep for moisture and nutrients, while the surface pebbles and stones warmed by the day's sun reflect heat up into the vines by night, which is important for vineyards at altitude. Combebelle has 3 distinct “terroirs” (or soil structures) of red clay, sand, and broken stone (schist). This coupled with the micro-climate of each individual “parcelle” of vineyard results in the expression of complex subtle flavours and tannins in the wines.

Combebelle’s vineyards and winery are situated in a natural, clean and unspoiled environment surrounded by “garrigue” which is full of wild flowers, plants and herbs that impart some of their flavour into our wines as well as providing natural protection against many diseases. Our neighbours are an isolated goat farm producing International Award-winning organic cheeses.

At 265-300 metres, the highest vineyard in St Chinian, it has dramatic views to the Mediterranean and the distant Pyrenees, and is frequented by a variety of wildlife including deer and “sangliers” (wild boar). At this altitude the vineyard is cooler and protected from the roasting summer heat in the plains below, allowing for a longer ripening period in which the grapes can absorb more of the complex characters and mature flavours of the terroir before the “vendange” (harvest) begins.

Quality is very important. Hand picking ensures that only the best grapes are used. Production volume is kept deliberately very low (25-30hl/ha) to ensure depth and refinement in the final product.

Quality winemaking

Our primary objective is to ensure we have the best quality fruit to start with and then it is almost plain sailing! The rosé is picked first with the Syrah and the Grenache picked by hand as early as possible in the morning to preserve freshness and fruit in the wine. The grapes are crushed and the juice allowed to settle for 6-12 hours between 8-10°C to ensure the fermentation does not start prematurely. Fermentation is controlled at 15-17°C to ensure the lively, fruity character of the wine is preserved.

We produce a range of red wines, some aged in tank and others aged for 12 months in barrel. Each style represents the terroir of Combebelle. The lighter, fruity reds are aged in tank for 6-12 months depending on the vintage and are more approachable when young. The heavier, more complex reds are matured in barrels of varying ages to enhance the structure and longevity of the wine. Each parcelle and variety is vinified separately in tank / open fermenters using only indigenous yeasts. Fermentation temperatures range between 30-35°C which encourages extraction of flavour, fruit and tannins. We regularly pump the juice over to wet the “cap” of skins and to cool down the fermenting juice. This also aides colour extraction and increases the complexity of phenolics in the wine. The secondary fermentation (malo-lactic) can occur at the same time as the primary / alcoholic fermentation in tank or in barrel during the maturation process.

Once the wines are ready, we start putting the blends together which is the most fun part of the winemaking process and can take several days until we are all satisfied with the final blend(s).

We combine modern vinification techniques with traditional practices to ensure that our wines respect their region of origin, the terroir and the grape variety itself. Our role is merely to oversee the process and to lend a helping hand in making the best possible quality wine that reflects the vintage and vineyards of Combebelle.