Laura Aillaud

History of Domaine Laura Aillaud

Laura Aillaud's journey is one of a return to her roots in her native Luberon. It was in her restaurant in Aix-en-Provence, where she worked front of house as a sommelier, that she developed a passion for natural wine. Far from a simple career change, she experienced this turning point as the natural continuation of her discovery, and decided to move from service to production in order to draw closer to the nature she loves so deeply. After completing a BTS in Viticulture and Oenology, she carried out her first winemaking at Jean-Christophe Comor's Domaine des Terres Promises in the Var, a natural winemaker with whom she shares common values.

With three years of learning behind her, Laura Aillaud founded her estate in 2017 in La Tour d'Aigues, initially taking on around 3 hectares of vines on a lease. A year later, she acquired an additional 3 hectares, pulling out the vines in poor condition to allow nature to regenerate before replanting from 2021. In 2022, driven by boundless energy, she undertook the construction of a new cellar, conceived as a place for living and sharing. An atypical winemaker, she surrounds herself with artist friends to create her labels and has built her range around the natural elements: water, fire, earth and air.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Laura Aillaud

The estate is made up of several plots spread across the communes of La Tour d'Aigues, Pertuis and Villelaure, on a terroir of safre — the sandy molasse typical of the Luberon — at altitudes ranging from 250 to 450 metres. It comprises approximately 6 hectares in production, complemented by 3 hectares of young plantings and top-grafting, as well as 2 hectares of bare land left to rest. The grape varieties planted are particularly diverse, reflecting the winemaker's commitment to polyculture.

The estate is home to around fifty-year-old Grenache Noir, Syrah, Carignan, Counoise, Cinsault and Cabernet Sauvignon for the reds, as well as Muscat de Hambourg, Gamay, Vermentino, Ugni Blanc, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc. Everything is cultivated using organic farming and certain principles of biodynamics, with sulphur kept to a minimum dose. The vines grow with natural ground cover to encourage deep rooting, deep ploughing is banned, and soil work is carried out sparingly with a draught horse — for which Laura received specialist training — in a long-term logic of observation and regeneration.

Winemaking at Domaine Laura Aillaud

In the cellar as in the vineyard, the philosophy is grounded in attentiveness and common sense. The juices are guided without unnecessary intervention, using only indigenous yeasts, no additives or technological processes, and sulphur used in homeopathic doses. This natural, handcrafted approach, driven by positive energy and great rigour, yields wines of disarming purity and precision.

Depending on the cuvée, ageing takes place in concrete tanks, demi-muids or large oak foudres, always in keeping with the material and the original intention. The wines, whether in AOC Luberon or Vin de France, are above all wines of identity, free and aromatic. In vintages affected by frost, such as 2024 and 2025, Laura supplements her harvest with grapes purchased from neighbouring organic wine growers, preserving for each cuvée its DNA and original intention. The result is airy, juicy and fragrant wines that bring the Luberon back to the forefront of the scene.

The Cuvées of Domaine Laura Aillaud

Long Courrier: the estate's favourite cuvée, this red blends Counoise, Cinsault, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in demi-muids. Structured and deep, with fruit, spice, a beautiful energy and genuine minerality, it has excellent ageing potential. An invitation to a long voyage.

Amorcito: an emblematic cuvée born from a bold blend of red and white, built around Grenache, Syrah, Vermentino and Ugni Blanc. With a very pale colour and crunchy fruit, it is a light, indulgent and convivial natural wine, best served chilled. Its label, created by a friend and artist, celebrates love and connection.

Terre à Terre: the embodiment of the earth element, this cuvée brings together old-vine Carignan and Cinsault, partially destemmed and aged in concrete tanks. The Cinsault lends fluidity to a deep red with volume, structure, fine tannins and beautiful freshness.

Libre comme l'Air: this white, often crafted from Grenache Blanc via direct pressing and sometimes complemented with Vermentino, combines roundness, ripeness, freshness and salinity, with lovely notes of candied lemon. An ideal gastronomic wine to pair with fish, summer vegetables and southern cheeses.

Tout feu Tout femme: with its playful name, this cuvée embodies the fire element of the range. Expressive, sun-drenched and full of energy, in the image of its winemaker, it captures all the vitality and freedom of the estate.

Entre deux Eaux: evoking the water element, this fresh and fluid cuvée wins over with its drinkability, purity and thirst-quenching character. A natural wine of delicate refinement.

Exlibris: a confidential and singular cuvée, it expresses the full personality of the estate in a rare and distinctive style, for enthusiasts in search of wines with character.

Bonne Nouvelle: the estate's primeur wine, it combines a majority of Gamay with a little Muscat de Hambourg and Grenache Blanc. A true little firecracker, this addictive, grenadine-like wine with floral notes wins over with its bright, crunchy fruit — supple, fresh and easy-drinking, to be opened on any occasion.