Domaine des Terres Falmet

Cebazan, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

For Yves Falmet, whose family comes from the Côtes de Bar in Champagne, tending to steep hillside vineyards is just a way of life. Yves owns 25 contiguous hectares of hillside vineyards in Cebazan, within the Saint-Chinian appellation in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Yves was able to acquire this rocky parcel planted on clay-limestone in 1996 because the other vignerons in the area, who sell to the local cooperative, had no interest in the amount of work it would take to maintain these steep hillside vineyards. As Yves says: “no one wanted the land. Its inclines made growing conditions extremely harsh and dangerous.” Starting with these rugged vineyards, Yves slowly recovered the vines and rehabilitated old farm buildings which he converted into a functional winery and cellar.

Yves, who has a poetic, philosophical, and worldly approach to working his vines, got his start studying science at the University in Montpellier which led to his first introduction to the Languedoc. From there he worked as an oenologist at Marris Wines in Australia, Mantanzas Creek in California, and Neudorf Winery in New Zealand. His peregrinations taught him a simple lesson: that good wine comes from good grapes. Yves, who is a bit of an iconoclast, describes his work in the vineyard as “rational ecology,” a form of tending the vines that goes beyond organics. “My work in the vineyard is based on daily reflections involving observation of the climate, plants and every detail that allows me to establish the requisite ‘diagnosis’ for the way I will intervene. My approach is pragmatic, responsible and above all anticipatory.”

While Yves’ vineyards are located within the St Chinian appellations, his wines are all declassified into Vin de France as monovarietal wines are not allowed within the AOC.

Our Selections

Terres Falmet Cinsault VdF 2022

Old vines and great hillside vineyards come together in this wine to produce a Cinsault that is unusually silky and balanced. Cinsault, when bottled on its own, offers a combination of sweet red fruits and subtle spice notes that can be very compelling. Yves’ wine is light and fresh enough to add a little chill to but still textured enough to satisfy. From old bush trained vines planted to clay limestone soils. The grapes were destemmed, gently pressed and spontaneously fermented in steel tanks. 13.5% alcohol. 1100 cases produced. Organic (not certified).

Terres Falmet Aramon VdF 2022

This rare 100% Aramon is truly a labor of love for Yves Falmet. At one time Aramon was the most widely planted grape variety in France. Today only a small amount still exists. Yves’ plot of 80+ year old vines is harvested at optimal ripeness and is treated with the utmost care, making a wine that is medium bodied and perfumed, with a gently tannic structure. 12% alcohol. Only 83cs made. Organic (not certified).

Terres Falmet Carignan VdF 2021

A beautiful example of Carignan from 80+ year old bush trained vines grown on clay-limestone hillside vineyards. The grapes are picked by hand at optimal ripeness at the end of September or early October. Upon arriving in the cellar, the grapes are immediately de-stemmed then lightly crushed and put into tank. Fermentation is spontaneous and there is no temperature control. Yves keeps the wine in the same tanks for an additional four weeks with daily pump-overs before racking into separate tanks for another year and a half.

This is a wine that punches above its price point, with lovely aromatic notes of black raspberry and spice notes. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and textured with a supple finish. 13% alcohol. Only 500cs produced. Organic (not certified).