Partners In France
Domaine de l’Hortus
In the late 70’s an avid rock climber by the name of Jean Orliac spent much of his time scaling the epic limestone cliffs of the Pic Saint Loup and Hortus Mountains. Also an agriculture professor, he was quick to realize the potential of the valley slopes nestled between these two iconic mountains. Cool arid winds from the north mix with the warm, humid Mediterranean sea breezes, called the Marin, providing a diverse range of terroir within the valley. Inspired, Orliac began the monumental task of clearing a 4-hectare abandoned parcel and replanting vines. In 1990, after nearly 15 years of vigorous work, he bottled his first wine. Today his children, carry on the tradition of excellence Jean began decades ago, with a patchwork of parcels sprawling over 50 hectares of the Hortus Valley. Grape varietals perfectly paired for the diverse range of microclimates found along the north and south facing slopes allows Domaine de L’Hortus to produce a variety of excellent wines.
Le Cellier du Pic
Cellier Du Pic is a classic example of an entire village coming together to produce a variety of exceptional wines. With numerous growers each contributing their best grapes, year after year they are proud to be part of something bigger than themselves. Scattered across the stony hillside in the shadow of Pic Saint Loup, each grower has a special relationship with his terroir and unique methods of maintaining and caring for his vines. Each terroir is 10 hectares or less, resulting in a personal attention to detail that is reflected in the quality of grape each farmer produces. During harvest, the streets are bustling with tractors and farmers all bringing the fruits of their labor to the village cave. Here the grapes are pressed and blended by experts whose extensive knowledge has been passed down through generations. The entire process is driven by passion, love, and the pride of working together to create a product that stands proud amongst France’s best wines.
Domaine de Malavieille
The lush green vines of Malavieille contrast brilliantly against the red earth of Larzac, a region rich in iron oxide with a history of volcanic activity dating back 2 million years. Horizontal layers of red ruffe rock and clay sediments paint beautiful lines in the landscape below the overhanging cliffs of Jurassic limestone. First planted by the Romans, Larzac features the widest temperature variation in the region, thanks to its distance from the Mediterranean and proximity to the mountainous Causse, allowing the grapes to mature slowly. This steady maturation is beneficial to both color and aromatic quality, which is immediately recognized upon pouring a glass of Malavieille. Family owned and operated, Malavieille boasts 20 years of experience as an organic and biodynamic wine producer.
Mas de Carrat
Located 20km north of Montpellier in the South of France, Mas de Carrat lays at the heart of Languedoc’s Saint Drezery appellation. Owned and operated by Stephanie’s family, it is a particular pleasure to share the wines with Hawai’i.
Perched on a hillside 150m above sea level, the gentle slopes of Mas de Carrat capture an incredible Mediterranean view, flanked by a beautiful South of France countryside. Its proximity to the sea provides a careful balance, where the cool, constant maritime breeze soothes the burning afternoon sun, allowing for cool soil temperatures at night and ideal growing conditions.
Like the roots of the vines, the people and practices of Mas de Carrat dig deep, exploring and rediscovering abandoned growing methods and wine making techniques. Relying entirely on human labor and love, the meticulous hands-on attention to each cepage, each plot allows the vines to express their full potential. Working in harmony with the flora and fauna while using zero polluting methods, the life of the soil is protected and the vines plunge their roots deep into the stony soil.
Domaine Coste Moynier
In 1975, Elisabeth and Luc settled in Saint-Christol, on a thirty-three-hectare property at the highest point of the village – the Domaine de la Coste, a land classified as AOC.
Both descend from a long line of winegrower families whose presence in Languedoc is attested from the 13th century, in Mauguio, Assas and Beaulieu.
As soon as the property was purchased, Luc and Elisabeth decided to restructure the vineyard. They dug out and replanted good-quality local grapes varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre or Cinsault.
Domaine de Montrose
Domaine Montrose and its surroundings have been inhabited for millennia.
During Antiquity, it was likely a Roman villa. “The Valros Tower” next to our vineyard was a Carolingian necropolis and then a stronghold in the Middle Ages.
Since the 16th century, they have made wine at Montrose, as evidenced by the underground tanks beneath the wine cellar.In 1701 our ancestor Joseph Alazard received the Three Lizards coat of arms. In homage to him, it adorns all of our bottles today.
For nine generations, the estate has belonged to the Coste family.
Domaine Capdepon
Located in Villelongue-d'Aude, a small typical village in the heart of the Cathar country, the vineyard covers 80 hilly hectares, between oak forests and scrubland. The climate is Mediterranean with oceanic tendencies. With the sun of the south and the coolness of the altitude of the hills, the ideal conditions are gathered for a perfect maturation of the grapes which are used to elaborate their sparkling wines.
Their great-grandparents were already making blanquette to delight the taste buds of their family and friends. They passed along their secret and their passion for bubbles. Domaine Capdepon were the pioneers in the marketing of the blanquette of owner, called today AOP Blanquette de Limoux Methode Ancestrale, of which we made our speciality.
We believe in a simple and respectful oenology of the environment, that's why all our grapes come from vineyards led in integrated agriculture. Uncork this drink whose elaboration goes back to more than four centuries to make the strong moments sparkle!
Villa Noria
Villa Noria is the dream-come-true of wine enthusiasts who have known how to unite their skills to create an estate from scratch.
Cedric comes from Montagnac in the Languedoc. He has been a winegrower since he was 20, when he started, together with his grandfather, with a few hectares of vines. Before the creation of Villa Noria, he took his grapes to the local co-operative cellar.
Fabien comes from Alsace, from a family of winemakers in Gueberschwihr. His passion for oenology was born during his biology studies in Colmar.
The transformation of the vineyard in 2010 into an organic vineyard stemmed from real conviction, in order to work in a healthier and sustainable environment. He is wholeheartedly committed to the Villa Noria estate so that organic cultivation should be not an end but a beginning.
