Val de Combrès

History of the Val de Combrès estate

Valentin Létoquart does not come from a family of winemakers. Passionate about nature, animals and farming that respects life, he trained at various organic estates before deciding, in 2012, to take the plunge. He took over 6 hectares of vines in Oppède, on the northern slopes of the Petit Luberon in the Vaucluse, and created Val de Combrès in the winter of 2012, with his first vintage in 2013. From the very beginning, he committed to the path of biodynamics, never wavering: no chemicals, no herbicides, horse ploughing, herbal teas as the only treatments. Every winter, a transhumant flock descends from the Alps to graze the plots, providing natural mowing and organic composting.

In 2018, Valentin built his own cellar in Maubec, bringing the vineyard closer to it. He gave up certain plots in Oppède that were too far away and took on others closer to Maubec, bringing the current surface to 8 hectares. The grape varieties evolve gradually: Grenache and Syrah remain the pillars, complemented by Carignan, Cabernet and Merlot for the reds, with a few plots of Roussanne and Gros vert for the whites. The estate produces under the Luberon appellation and as Vin de France depending on the cuvée. Valentin is cited among the leading natural winemakers of the Luberon, alongside the Maoù or Alexandre Dalet.

Terroirs and Vines of the Val de Combrès estate

The Val de Combrès vineyard is planted on the northern slopes of the Petit Luberon, between the communes of Oppède and Maubec in the Vaucluse. The soils are clay-limestone, composed of sands over deep clay bedrock. The north-facing exposure gives the vineyard a precious relative freshness in this part of the Luberon, which is often very hot in summer, allowing slower and more harmonious ripening, with a natural preservation of the acidity and freshness of the grapes. The vines, aged 30 to 40 years for the oldest, benefit from entirely mechanical and manual soil work: no chemical weeding, horse ploughing throughout the vineyard, manual care for all green work.

Biodynamics has been practised with conviction since the very first day: herbal teas, biodynamic preparations (horn manure, horn silica, compost preparations), and natural composting thanks to the annual passage of the transhumant flock. Copper and sulphur treatments are reduced to a minimum, replaced by plant extracts in accordance with the precepts of Rudolf Steiner. Harvests are manual. Yields are naturally low thanks to the age of the vines and the biodynamic management.

Winemaking at the Val de Combrès estate

Valentin vinifies in his cellar in Maubec with a simple and radical logic: no oenological inputs, no added sulphites, indigenous yeasts only, no filtration or fining. "The logic is complete, from the vine to the cellar." Macerations vary according to the cuvées and the styles sought, from short macerations for the light and fruity cuvées to long macerations for the ageing cuvées. Ageing takes place primarily in concrete, stainless steel or fibreglass vats for the pleasure-driven cuvées, and in barrels for the flagship cuvée Quille de Joie, which benefits from one year's ageing in wood. Certain cuvées are vinified as whole bunches, others fully destemmed depending on the grape varieties and the aromatic objectives.

The style of Val de Combrès wines is resolutely approachable and easy-drinking: "no need for decanting or great ceremonies, the wines of Val de Combrès are directly accessible and best enjoyed in good company." Valentin's objective is to produce sincere wines that speak of their terroir and their vintage, without artifice, in a spirit of absolute sharing and conviviality.

The cuvées of the Val de Combrès estate

Les Vacances (Vin de France Rouge) : An immediately pleasurable cuvée from 100% Grenache, vinified to highlight the pure fruit and freshness of the variety. Short maceration, ageing in vats. "100% grenache on the fruit." Nose of small red fruits, flowers and light spices. A light and approachable palate, a fresh and crunchy finish. The estate's thirst-quenching red, to be enjoyed from the moment of opening in any circumstances.

La Lumière (Vin de France Rouge) : A blended red cuvée from 50% Grenache and 50% Carignan, "fruit always present, a little more complex and rounded through the blend." The complementarity between the roundness of the Grenache and the structure of the Carignan yields a wine of accessible yet genuine depth. Aromas of red fruits and spices, a balanced palate with more substance than Les Vacances while retaining the freshness and drinkability characteristic of the estate.

Bichette (Vin de France Rouge) : A red cuvée blending 40% whole-bunch Carignan, 30% destemmed Cabernet and 30% destemmed Grenache, with a short maceration. "Easy-drinking and silky." The whole-bunch Carignan contributes a noble lightness and herbal freshness, the Cabernet brings structure, the Grenache roundness and fruit. A red wine of remarkable elegance and drinkability, to be shared around a good table.

L'Ivresse des Profondeurs (Vin de France Rouge) : A more structured red cuvée, from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and other red grape varieties from the estate, with a longer maceration. A deep and spicy red wine, with aromas of black fruits, garrigue and calcareous minerality. For lovers of characterful Luberon wines with a certain concentration.

Quille de Joie (AOC Luberon ou Vin de France Rouge) : The estate's flagship cuvée and its most ambitious expression. A blend of the three main red grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, with 12 months' ageing in barrels. "The estate's top-of-the-range cuvée, the one that fully represents the patient work of the winemaker and the finesse of the terroirs." Long macerations for a complex and aromatic extraction. A powerful and rounded red wine, with deep and melted tannins, remarkable length and aromatic complexity surpassing the other cuvées. For great occasions and well-stocked cellars.

Blanc (AOC Luberon ou Vin de France) : A white cuvée from Roussanne and Gros vert, grown on the plots of the northern slopes of the Petit Luberon. Natural vinification in vats, indigenous yeasts, no sulphites. A dry white wine with floral and fruity aromas, a fresh and mineral palate. A gastronomic white, faithful to the estate's philosophy: sincere and direct.

Pétillant Naturel (Vin de France) : A sparkling cuvée from red or white grapes depending on the vintage, bottled before the end of fermentation to capture the natural bubble. Light and festive bubbles, a fruity nose, a fresh and thirst-quenching palate. The most festive and accessible cuvée of the estate, to start the tasting or to end the meal in high spirits.