Where Wild Land Meets Winemaking Vision
Sometimes beautiful wine comes from humble beginnings, and Domaine d’Ansignan is an inspiring example of what happens when visionary winemakers go against conventional wisdom and develop a vineyard site that no one else thought was possible. When vignerons Jeff Carrel and Sebastien Calduch were wandering through the Rouissilon looking for vineyard sites to develop, they came across the tiny village of Ansignan in one of the southernmost regions in France.
Ansignan, with a population of less than 200 people, had some overgrown vineyard areas covered in Syrah at high elevations in the Pyrenees that were imminently scheduled to be ripped out and converted to woodlands. Jeff and Sebastian saw something in this untamed land that others did not, and they decided to take on the challenge of reinvigorating these lost vineyards for a new project named Domaine d’Ansignan. The 2023 ‘Les Grenadines’ reflects the vision of two winemakers who wanted to create a true expression of the terroir of this unique vineyard site.
The Domaine d’Ansignan estate is in the midst of conversion to certified organic status as part of a larger revitalization of the land there. Three local families have been tasked with helping to preserve and tend to the vines, maintain the historic architecture and walking paths dating back to the Middle Ages, replant indigenous flowers and herb beds, and even install and tend to a number of beehives and farm animals on the land. All of these projects were designed to honor and preserve the heritage of the land and bring it back to a healthier and more fertile balance.
The 2023 ‘Les Grenadines’ is mostly Grenache and Syrah, with the addition of Carignan for structure and acidity and indigenous Lledoner Pellut and Maccabeu providing some salinity and bright and red fruit flavor. At under $20, this is certified porch pounder, with invigorating aromas of tart berries and pomegranate contributing to a freshness on the palate that will leave you wanting more. Serve this wine with a slight chill on a hot day with some barbecued chicken or pork. Or just sit out on the back patio, crack open a bottle, and enjoy some company on a sunny afternoon.
