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In the 'Golden Crecent'

Domaine de Fontsainte is in the heart of the Corbières’ celebrated ‘Golden Crescent’ - one of the appellation’s most beautiful and beneficent terroirs. Fontsainte's intensely sunny, gently sloping, south south-east facing vineyards shelter from cold north-east winds on the flank of a 500-hectare pinewood massif (right). The domain dominates the landscape around the hamlet of Boutenac, enjoying panoramic views. Fontsainte’s vineyards, just 90m in altitude, benefit from a pristine environment (far from industrial or urban developments) plus alternating Mediterranean and oceanic influences.

Roman artifacts found on the domain - like the bronze coin bearing the head of Marcus Agrippa (c. 25AD) that adorns our Centurion wine - attest to Fontsainte's ancient origins: a Roman officer created the domain around a thermal spring. The name Fontsainte ('the saint’s fount') comes from the nearby 12th century Hermitage of Saint-Siméon, who became the patron saint of Boutenac. Two chateaux dominated the landscape in the middle ages: Fort Haut and Fort Bas. Only the latter remains today - it’s now the headquarters of the Corbières’ winegrowers syndicat.

Yves Laboucarié established Fontsainte in its current incarnation in 1971 - though his family's links to winemaking in Boutenac date to the 17th century. He inherited vines, bought parcels and became a Corbières pioneer of quality - being among the first to practice carbonic maceration, harvest by hand, and age wines (using 600-litre casks). His Gris de Gris and La Demoiselle are Corbières benchmarks.

 

Yves Laboucarié -

Aviator and pioneer

As early as 1978, French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing was entertaining guests at the Elysée Palace with Laboucarié's award-winning Fontsainte wines. Since 1995, son Bruno has taken charge. He's re-equiped the cellars, re-planted parcels, and upped the quality with his own wine: Centurion.
 
 

 

Domaine de Fontsainte

Route de Ferrals - 11200 Boutenac - France

Tel: +33(0)4 68 27 07 63 - Fax: +33(0)4 68 27 62 01

Email: sep.laboucarie@tiscali.fr

www.fontsainte.com