Côtes du Rhône Rouge AOP 2022 Carabiniers BIO Demeter

Domaine des Carabiniers is located in the heart of the right bank of the Rhône River, covering a total area of 50 hectares across the Tavel, Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhône, and IGP Pays d'Oc appellations. Here, the vines thrive on a terroir of sand, silt, and rolled pebbles, nurtured by the enchanting power of the Provençal sun.

The Origin of the Name

In the 14th century, the papal seat was located at the Palace of the Popes in Avignon. The area was guarded by Italian horse guards known as "carabiniers." Since then, the region has been known as "Carabiniers." As the winery's cellar was built on the site of a former stable where the carabiniers kept their horses, the family preserved the name, and the horse became the symbol of the domain.

The Roots of the Leperchois Family

The Leperchois family originates from Santa Croce sull'Arno, a small village south of Tuscany, about 40 km from the sea. The family's ancestors emigrated to France due to the economic crisis that hit Italy in the 1920s. In Italy, their ancestors were involved in growing both table and wine grapes. Part of the family also worked in tanneries three generations ago.

Upon arriving in France, the family started anew, initially working as winemakers for various domains. In the 1930s, they acquired 3 hectares of land, delivering their grapes to the village cooperative. In 1974, Christian Leperchois took over the vineyard, expanded it to 9 hectares, and began selling bottled wine—first Côtes-du-Rhône in 1974, followed by Tavel and Lirac in 1980. The wine cellar was also built during this time.

In the 1980s, Christian acquired another 11 hectares, followed by 10 more in the 1990s. Since the 1990s, the entire vineyard transitioned to organic farming, receiving its ECOCERT certification in 1997. The fifth generation of the family, Christian's children Magali and Fabien, expanded the estate to its current 50 hectares in 2000.

Today, Magali and Fabien represent the fifth generation working on the estate. Fabien joined his father in 2006 as Maître de Chai (Cellar Master). He converted the entire estate to biodynamic farming and obtained Demeter certification in 2009. Demeter International is the sole international certification body for biodynamic farms and products. In 2013, Magali joined to manage administration and sales. In 2015, the "Biodynamic Wine" company was established, allowing Fabien and Magali to manage the estate and market the wines from the vineyard.

They now manage the domain alongside a team of six permanent employees, supported by seasonal workers in the vineyards.

They produce wines under the Tavel, Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and IGP Pays d'Oc appellations. The wines are crafted using natural yeasts, without additives or added sulfites. Minimal stabilization is performed only on certain products during bottling. The goal is to reduce sulfur dioxide as much as possible to preserve the natural aromas for maximum consumer enjoyment.

Emphasis on the Health and Vitality of Plants, Soil, and Biodiversity

A long-term vision that gives the utmost attention to vegetation, fruit, vines, and wine!

Just like the greatest chefs, for whom the secret to an excellent recipe lies in top-quality ingredients, a great wine starts with excellent grapes and preserving the balance of the land. Terroir cannot sustain itself alone; therefore, it is vital to respect the earth and its quality to avoid depleting it.

• Preparation 500P: Horn manure that develops the soil. This highly nutritious compost is applied to stimulate roots and nourish underground microbial life. Healthy root growth is crucial for the vine's health and quality. Horn manure stimulates the microbial activity necessary to provide natural reserves to the vines during winter.
• Preparation 501: Also known as horn silica, this is sprayed onto the leaves to help plants capture the intensity of light, warmth, and moonlight, thereby boosting photosynthesis.

They primarily sell to international markets across nearly all continents, with international sales representing 70% of their business. Their wines are distributed in North America, South America, the Antilles, Europe, Central Asia, Asia, and Oceania.

Across their 50 hectares, they produce approximately 320,000 bottles annually.

Explore our selection and taste the biodynamic excellence of Domaine des Carabiniers wines here!