Domaine l'Ancienne Cure

History

The property was founded by the Roche family as early as the 19th century in the commune of Colombier, south of Bergerac. In the past, it was not only focused on vineyards but also on cereal crops and livestock. It was in 1935 that the vine took a little more place in this family business. Amédée Roche changed the situation by creating, with the help of some wine growers, the cooperative cellar of Monbazillac.

Cattle and cereals were then gradually replaced by more areas planted with vines. In the 1950s, the Roche family bought an old presbytery and renovated it to set up their wine business. The "Ancienne Cure" estate was born!

A few years later, in 1968, the first bottling was carried out at the estate. Then, a new generation arrived with Christian Roche, who inherited part of the property in 1984. He fitted out the winery to start as an independent winemaker. With more experience, he realized over the years that the quality of the wines comes first and foremost through the fundamentals: respect for the earth and the plant.

He thus embarks on a constant questioning of the best practices to be put in place. His goal is to obtain the healthiest and highest quality grapes possible. To do this, he set up a process of conversion to organic viticulture which resulted in obtaining certification in 2012.

Having good grapes to make good wine

And it was quite a job to convert the 50 hectares of vineyards, located in the commune of Colombier. 33 hectares of white grape varieties (Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle, Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Ondenc,...) and 17 of reds (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec). A variety of grape varieties that gives Christian Roche the freedom to produce vintages with diverse characteristics. The vines, rather young (35 years old on average), are vigorous and thrive on multifaceted soils: clay-limestone, limestone, sandy limestone, stony limestone, sandy-clay gravel.

The vines allow the estate to produce 180,000 bottles from the winery each year. These bottles will be adorned with labels mentioning several appellations : Monbazillac (main AOC), Pécharmant, Bergerac, Bergerac Sec, Côtes-de-Bergerac, Côtes-de-Bergerac Moelleux.

But this range of wines would not be as pleasing if Christian Roche had not adjusted the work in the vineyard. For him, the quality of the final wine is 90% the result of the raw material (the vine) and therefore the care given to the vines all year round. It was after much reflection on what seemed to be best for his plots that he decided to implement several changes: deep tillage, adapting planting densities, fewer treatments, etc.

The Domaine l'Ancienne Cure is definitely a must in this wine region which, thanks to the intelligent work of the winemakers, has a reputation that is soaring with appellations such as Pécharmant, Bergerac or Monbazillac...