Domaine Belles Courbes: quality wines with a strong identity

Mireille is a doctor, while her husband Jacques is a winemaker in Charentes. In 2014, the couple embarked on a quest to find a small estate to acquire in the Languedoc region, where Mireille originates. The perfect opportunity arose when Jean-Benoît Pelletier decided to sell Domaine Belles Courbes, a small vineyard situated in the heart of the AOC Saint-Chinian terroir.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How did the two of you come to acquire the estate?

From medicine and viticulture to Languedoc winemaking

We were looking for a vineyard with low yield and good climatic conditions. The potential of this property seemed interesting, especially because of its location, perched on a hill at 250 meters altitude

explains the couple.

Mireille and Jacques, who continue to pursue their respective professions in Charentes, quickly assembled a team. Still present on-site, former owner Jean-Benoît Pelletier works daily as the cellar master under the expert guidance of Bruno Tringali, a renowned oenologist from Var.

What does the estate itself look like?

A dozen hectares of beautiful curves

The first harvest at Domaine Belles Courbes under the Tournat stewardship took place in 2015. The estate comprises about a dozen hectares of vines almost gathered in a single plot, forming regular lines, hence its name "Belles Courbes" (Beautiful Curves).

What is the philosophy behind the wines?

Let the terroir speak

The estate’s wine range includes 4 reds and 2 rosés. All the wines are crafted from the typical regional grape varieties: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Carignan. Constantly striving for quality, the Domaine Belles Courbes team focuses on producing concentrated wines with a distinctive character and pronounced garrigue notes.

The important thing is to let the terroir speak. We place a lot of emphasis on the freshness of our schist soils and our vines, which are over 50 years old, and we primarily practice sustainable viticulture

explains Mireille.

The estate's flagship wine, the "Totem" cuvée, perfectly meets these criteria. Made from Grenache, it comes from vines located at the top of the hill, benefiting from a 360° exposure. Fresh and persistent on the palate, this wine reveals gourmand aromas of garrigue, spices, black fruits, and licorice. It’s the perfect wine to accompany grilled red meats at a barbecue!

What are your plans for the estate in the years ahead?

Artistic endeavors at the estate

In their constant quest for renewal, Mireille and Jacques are exploring numerous development avenues for their estate. A painting enthusiast, Mireille hopes to organize art workshops and exhibitions. This is a dream she hopes to realize in the coming years…

Discover the wines of Domaine Belles Courbes directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Domaine Belles Courbes

Where is Domaine Belles Courbes located?

The estate lies in the Saint-Chinian appellation, in the Languedoc. Its vines sit on a slope rising to 250 metres, on schist soils that keep the wines fresh.

Which grape varieties make up the Domaine Belles Courbes range?

The range draws on four Languedoc varieties: syrah, grenache, carignan and cinsault. Together they yield four concentrated reds and two rosés, all shaped by garrigue.

What is the Totem cuvée?

Totem is the estate's signature wine, a Grenache from the plots at the top of the slope with sun on every side. It shows black fruit, licorice, spice and garrigue, closing on a fresh, lingering palate.

How are the vines farmed?

The team works the vineyard mostly through sustainable viticulture. It leans on parcels of vines more than fifty years old and on the schist of the slope, both feeding the depth and freshness of the wines.

Where does the name Belles Courbes come from?

The name comes from the shape of the vineyard. Close to twelve hectares run in one block, and the rows draw even, curving lines across the hill, hence the name the estate chose.