THE ORIGINS OF THE DOMAINE

A traditional Languedoc farmstead marked by history

Domaine Calmel & Joseph is a former farmstead, typical of the Languedoc, first mentioned in a deed of property dated the 26 July 1577 belonging to the nobleman Jehan de Calmès, Lord of Saint Jullia. In the course of its history it was known by several different names, including Borde Neuve and La Madone.

In 1590 the nearby village of Montirat was pillaged and burnt to the ground. The buildings of what was then Borde Neuve were almost certainly severely damaged at this time. It was only with the creation of a land registry in 1595, established after peace was restored, that agricultural activity resumed.

It was a classic farmstead of its time, with around fifteen hectares on which cereals were grown, mainly wheat, but also oats, barley, malt and lentils. There were also olive groves, sheep flocks kept for their wool, and coppices for the provision of wood. Vines began to be cultivated on the estate in the 16th century, but purely to make wine for personal consumption. Roman remains can still be seen today in the scrublands surrounding the Domaine.

A privileged position

A high-altitude estate in the image of our Languedoc Roussillon parcel selections, with favourable soils, orientation and climate.

The Domaine sits in a remarkable geographical position on the threshold of the Val de Dagne, at the foot of the Alaric mountain and the Hautes Corbières, in the heart of 160 uninterrupted hectares, and disposes of a total of 200 hectares in all.

At altitudes ranging from 240 to 300 metres, the cultivated plots are surrounded by richly diverse woodland of Aleppo pines, black and parasol pines, beech, holm and white oak, ash, poplar and cypress, and wild Mediterranean scrub fragrant with juniper, thyme, lavender, broom and laurel.

The rolling hills and valleys essentially composed of sandy clay and chalk with outcrops of limestone rock allow each type of vegetation to find its ideal situation and orientation.

The estate is a complex mix of geological and climatic influences at the confluence of the terroirs of the Corbières, Limoux, the Malpère, the Cabardès and the Minervois. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with mists that form due to the proximity to the Alaric hills causing the temperatures to be generally lower and the rainfall greater than in sectors just a few kilometres away in the direction of Narbonne.

An innovative
domaine

The site is perfectly adapted to the adoption of respectful agriculture and innovative techniques.

Because of its isolation, the Domaine is in a unique position to try innovative methods of cultivation. With no neighbouring cultures to influence our experiments, we can very rapidly obtain and analyse results.

This information also helps us in our work as negociant winemakers with our parcel selections from across the whole of the Languedoc Roussillon.

The region has experienced something of a renaissance over the last few decades and concentrates an enormous energy. Many young growers with enquiring minds are adopting practices that are virtuous and respectful of the environment. These ecologically aware enthusiasts are our partners, with the Domaine as a centre for exchanging experiences and sharing of ideas.

Organic
farming methods

Putting life at the heart of the Domaine’s preoccupations is our priority

We switched to organic farming for the entire estate as soon as we arrived here. We use no chemical inputs, whether it be pesticides, herbicides or fungicides, but only natural products in extremely low doses such as sulphur or tiny amounts of copper, and principally plant extracts and essences to protect against disease.

Our work consists of re-establishing life in the soils to encourage mycorrhizae, worms, bacterial activity, fungi and insects. To do so we enrich the organic content of the earth by winter sowing of faba beans, oats and barley whose root systems pierce and aerate the clay strata and increase nitrogen levels in the soil.

There is no deep ploughing, but only surface raking. Soils analyses carried out each year determine the best course of action to obtain rich, living, balanced soils. In just a few years we have already witnessed a huge surge in the quantity and variety of fauna and flora.

We believe firmly in plant biodiversity.
How is it possible for many different plants grow together in a forest without the intervention of man? Nature possesses its own harmony. If an imbalance occurs a new plant will develop and bring the qualities that are missing.

Nature is self-regulating and knows no partiality, it happily accepts a heterogenous environment or weeds, and has no cultural or agricultural heritage. This is what we are working on and an approach that we seek to develop for the future.

Vines: We grow vines (20 hectares), of course, because that is the heart of our activity. They are dispersed in small plots amongst the scrubland and surrounded by many different species of trees that provide shelter for a variety of animal life (bats, birds, insects).
They include a superb selection of typically Mediterranean grape varieties such as Grenache Noir or Grenache Gris, Syrah, Marsanne and, more surprisingly for the Corbières appellation, several hectares of Pinot Noir. In reality, the Domaine’s position and its continental climate is ideal for growing this particular grape.

Olives: We cultivate more than 2000 olive trees of various varieties: Picholine, Lucques, Oliviere, Bouteillan, Cayon and Clermont. They are treated naturally with Tea Tree Oil against the olive fruit fly. We produce eating olives (Lucques) as well as blended olive oil.

Arable crops: We also farm some 35 hectares of arable land, planting alfalfa crops, wheat, hay and different cereals in rotation from one year to the next, without the use of chemicals. We have developed more and more partnerships with organic, locavore, and qualitative chains of distribution such as flour millers and specialists of ancient varieties of wheat to connect with traditional bakers. Hay, alfalfa and cereals go to the sheep and cattle breeders of the Hautes Corbières or the Montagne Noire, and we supply alfalfa to the only buffalo breeder in the region, who produces meat but also, and above all, a magnificent Mozzarella.

Honey: For beekeepers, the Domaine is the perfect protected environment for the production of honey. It is a complex activity, and bees can suffer from high levels of mortality and disease, so we feel it is absolutely essential to preserve a place where different types of bees can produce natural honey – garrigue, lavender or thyme.

Lavender: On a smaller scale, we also tend a small parcel of lavender at the entrance to the Domaine from which we produce essential oil for making soap, amongst other things.

Almonds: In addition, we have an almond grove producing two types of eating almonds: Ferraduel and its polliniser Ferragne.
It is our ambition to develop this crop biodiversity and eventually produce truffles, create a seasonal market gardening activity, a botanical garden

Wine tourism

A unique site just a step away from Carcassonne, ideal for tourism, cultural, and sporting activities.

An exceptional setting of grandiose landscapes just a few minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the City of Carcassonne and the Canal du Midi.  Between sea and mountains, you can choose from a multitude of destinations and activities.

Discover a region rich in history, culture and scenery…. the blue of the Mediterranean, the Cathar citadels, ancient abbeys, the Montagne Noir, the picturesque villages of the Languedoc, the local gastronomy and wines.  These are just some of the fabulous experiences within reach of the Domaine.

In the heart of this exceptional environment, four beautifully renovated luxury apartments offer multiple possibilities for relaxing with family or friends – relaxing around the pool, indulging in the sauna or opting for more sporty activities like horse riding, walking or biking around the estate, but also on one of the many trails that surround it. We can also host larger gatherings for weddings, training courses or seminars (we have a fully equipped meeting room), and our cellar doors are open to you for tastings.