Château Valmont

Château Valmont: Corbières Wines Between the Mediterranean Sea and Garrigue

A New Terroir for the Ruhlmann-Schutz Family. After several generations devoted to the great wines of Alsace, the Ruhlmann-Schutz family opened a new chapter of its wine history in southern France.

In 2015, in Peyriac-de-Mer south of Narbonne, the new generation discovered a vineyard nestled in the heart of the maritime Corbières. Between fragrant garrigue, pine forests and the lagoons of Bages, this Mediterranean land offers a landscape and identity radically different from that of Alsace.

From this encounter was born Château Valmont, a wine estate with a clear ambition: to produce authentic and expressive Corbières wines capable of revealing the richness of the Languedoc terroir while complementing the family’s wine portfolio.

Today, the estate covers nearly 28 hectares of vineyards, part of which has been recently planted to support the development of the vineyard.

The Terroir of the Maritime Corbières

The Château Valmont vineyard benefits from a remarkable natural environment typical of the great terroirs of the Languedoc.

The Mediterranean climate provides:

generous sunshine throughout the year
relatively low rainfall
constant ventilation thanks to regional winds

The Tramontane, a dry northern wind, plays an essential role in local viticulture. It naturally limits vine diseases and helps keep the grapes perfectly healthy.

In addition, the influence of sea breezes brings freshness during the summer months and helps the vines better withstand periods of drought.

The estate’s soils are mainly composed of clay and stony limestone, typical of the Corbières region. These well-drained soils force the vine roots to dig deep into the ground, which enhances the aromatic concentration of the grapes and produces structured, fruity and elegant red wines.

The Iconic Grape Varieties of Corbières

To fully express the identity of the terroir, Château Valmont cultivates the historic grape varieties of the Corbières appellation:

Carignan, a traditional Languedoc variety providing structure and depth
Syrah, which develops notes of black fruits and spices
Grenache Noir, known for its generosity and roundness
Mourvèdre, a powerful variety adding complexity to blends

The combination of these varieties allows the estate to produce Corbières wines that are balanced, rich and intensely aromatic.

A Modern Winery Focused on Precision

When the owners established the estate, they designed a modern winery aimed at preserving the highest possible grape quality.

The building is partially underground, allowing naturally cool temperatures during the hot Mediterranean summer.

The harvested grapes arrive at the winery from the upper level, are carefully sorted and then move by gravity into the fermentation tanks. This gentle process limits mechanical handling and preserves the integrity of the fruit.

The wines are mainly aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, ensuring precision and aromatic stability. Some cuvées, such as Signature, also benefit from barrel aging, which brings greater complexity and depth.

A Strong Commitment to Organic Viticulture

From its early years, Château Valmont adopted an environmentally respectful approach to viticulture.

The vineyard has been progressively converted to organic farming, with certification obtained starting with the 2020 vintage.

This commitment reflects a strong conviction of the Ruhlmann-Schutz family: preserving soils, biodiversity and the natural balance of the vineyard in order to produce wines that are more authentic and faithful to their terroir.

The Wines of Château Valmont

The estate now offers several cuvées that reflect the identity of Corbières wines.

Aventure: The estate’s flagship wine, Aventure expresses the generosity of the Corbières terroir with aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and dark fruits, supported by freshness and smooth tannins.

Signature: Produced in limited quantities, Signature is the estate’s most ambitious cuvée. Made from a rigorous parcel selection and aged in barrels, it offers depth, complexity and aging potential.

Larguez les Amarres !: A convivial and expressive wine celebrating the Mediterranean spirit of the estate, offering an accessible, fruity and generous profile.

Château Valmont, A Modern Expression of Corbières

With Château Valmont, the Ruhlmann-Schutz family signs a new wine adventure between Alsace and the Languedoc.

In this Mediterranean landscape shaped by garrigue, wind and sunlight, the estate produces authentic Corbières wines that are generous and deeply connected to their terroir.

Why Do Corbières Wines Develop Such Intense Aromas ?

Corbières wines, grown on clay-limestone soils under a sunny Mediterranean climate and ventilated by the Tramontane wind, benefit from ideal conditions for vine cultivation.

This unique combination promotes aromatic concentration in the grapes and gives rise to powerful, fruity and balanced red wines.

At Château Valmont, this alchemy between terroir, climate and winemaking expertise can be found in every cuvée.