Domaine de Courbissac

Languedoc, France

Domaine de Courbissac is situated in the Minervois appellation, nestled between the Montagne Noire, Massif Central, and the Cevennes—a dynamic player in the revitalization of an area renowned as part of Languedoc. The estate boasts 15 hectares of vineyards with varieties such as Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Pinot Gris, Listan, Marsanne, Muscat, and, of course, Syrah and Grenache. The vineyards include remarkably old vines, up to 90 years old, all cultivated under organic practices, without pesticides or herbicides, in utmost harmony with nature. The wines mirror the meticulous parcel selection, with labels such as Les Traverses, Roc du Pière, Farradjales, and Roc Suzadou, each showcasing distinct and unique characteristics. The estate, originally acquired by Reinhard Brundig, a French filmmaker renowned for his notable films, witnessed a transformation in 2002 when he fell in love with these lands. Determined to elevate their intrinsic value and craft exceptional terroir-driven wines, Courbissac proved to be a challenging and untamed endeavor.Recognizing the need to 'reinvent' the wines with fresh energy, Brundig found the answer in Marie-Brunnhilde Claux. A determined young woman who knows what she wants and how to achieve it, Claux understood the potential of the Domaine. She penned a new chapter in production, introducing a distinctive and unusual whole-cluster fermentation, including stems. The result? Spectacular wines—graceful and smooth, yet immensely significant. They defy expectations with their drinkability, challenging the conventional notion of stem inclusion during fermentation, where the stem becomes a non-protagonist actor vying for an Oscar!