Domaine de Clovallon

Clovallon In Black And White

Catherine Roque, architect, made her dream come true and in 1987 acquired a 3 hectare estate in an unknown and little prized area. The Languedoc grape varieties do not reach maturity easily on the cold Bédarieux terroir. Of the important original vineyard, there are only two estates in private cellars and a few wineries, fewer and fewer, who bring their grapes to neighboring cooperatives. Indeed, Bédarieux, an important town, does not have a cooperative, a situation that is rather rare in Languedoc. Catherine Roque is convinced that this terroir is better suited to more northern grape varieties and that a grape variety gives the best of itself when it reaches the limit of its climatic zone of cultivation.

The vineyard, sitting on dolomitic limestone for the most part and schists, takes the form of an amphitheater facing due north. Installed at the outlet of a valley, the latter brings cold air from the Monts de L'Orb which culminate at more than 1000 m of altitude and from the Causse du Larzac. A limestone cliff to the south isolates the vineyard from the hot air masses of the coast and marks the end of the Faugères vineyard. The estate now has 12 hectares.

It pleads the cause of pinot noir with the IGP which accepts, after conclusive experiments, to authorize this grape variety in the wines of the Pays d'Oc. The vines are located between 250 and 400 m above sea level on dolomitic limestone, geological formations rare in this region and very rich in magnesium. This variety is very sensitive to water stress. The limestone cliff to the south plays an important role because it is a kind of gigantic reservoir. The water then flows over the bedrock between 7 and 10m deep and allows a regular supply of the vines. The Syrah vines are seated on the only plot of schist in the domain and also benefit from this underground runoff.

In the 90s, Catherine Roque was an exception. She also chooses Viognier, Chardonnay, Riesling, Clairette and other grape varieties which hardly adapt to the fiery rays of the sun, at least if one seeks to produce fine, delicate, elegant, fresh and powerful wines. , which is exactly the case. The winegrower takes advantage of her location in the middle of the scrubland, her position far from other intensive crops allows her to practice an entirely biodynamic culture (DEMETER certified) and the vine accepts it perfectly. The altitude tempers the heat of summer and the cool nights preserve the aromas and the acid balance of the grapes. Manual harvest and natural vinification express the finesse of these altitude wines.

Her daughter Alix took over the family estate in 2012. In the meantime, Catherine has created another estate, not far away, in the Faugères appellation, the Mas d'Alezon.

Alix continues the work of Catherine, according to the same virtuous principles ... by pushing her idea of ​​free wines further!

This area is a pearl in the immensity of the Languedoc offer.