Domaine Clavel Languedoc

The history of Domaine Clavel

Since 1886, Pierre Clavel, son of Languedoc vineyard historian Jean Clavel, has been working as a self-taught winemaker in the Languedoc region. His first success came with his first vintage of Copa Santa, in 1992.

In 1994, Pierre Clavel met Estelle, his future wife. They first settled in Saint Bauzille de Montmel, north of Montpellier, before finding their dream location, Mas de Périé. Everything had to be built, both in the building and in the fields. It took two years to shape what was to become Domaine Clavel, just outside the small village of Assas, on the way to Pic Saint Loup. In addition to winegrowing, Estelle developed a garden section, while Pierre took up livestock breeding.

The succession is already in place, with their two sons, Antoine and Martin, ready to take over Domaine Clavel when the time comes. They have studied and traveled in France and around the world to hone their curiosity and bring creativity to the domaine. Antoine knows Burgundy, and Martin has been to Australia and New Zealand to see how vines are treated on the other side of the world.

The Domaine Clavel vineyard

Domaine Clavel may be new, but it's not without its upheavals. Estelle and Pierre have constantly evolved the vineyard, enlarging it, rearranging the plots and selecting different grape varieties.

The vineyards around Mas de Périé have become a haven for local wildlife. In addition to the vines, there are olive groves, truffle fields, market garden plots, soft wheat, beehives and flower-filled fallows.

The Pic Saint Loup vineyards are set amid fragrant pine woods, with thyme and rosemary growing here and there. The exposure of the plots is perfect, whether on the plains or the hillsides. The soil is composed of limestone colluvium and scree at the top, and clay with small pebbles at the bottom.

The vineyard on the Pic Saint Loup side covers 17 hectares and is run organically. Other crops share the plots, to improve soil structure: triticale wheat, peas and mustard. Since 2016, Domaine Clavel has expanded, with the purchase of the Montpeyroux vineyard. Leaning against the Larzac foothills, it benefits from the Mediterranean/Atlantic barrier only ten kilometers away, as opposed to forty kilometers for the mas. The soil is very chalky and is planted mainly with Grenache grapes.

The wines of Domaine Clavel

Copa Santa PDO Languedoc - Red

Cuvée Copa Santa is Domaine Clavel's flagship wine. It is a high quality red wine belonging to the AOC Languedoc.

Des Clous AOP Languedoc Pic Saint Loup - Rouge

Initially close to Copa Santa, the Des Clous cuvée has refined over time. The wine is complex and airy, while retaining an earthy character.