Clos des Vins d'Amour: A Passionate Endeavor in Roussillon

This week, Nicolas Dornier talks to us about love. In a refreshing change from the usual Valentine’s Day clichés, this winemaker shares his passion for the Maury vineyards with his wife Christine, and the family’s creation of “Clos des vins d’Amour.”

The Dornier Family: A Passion for Wine in Roussillon

The story of L’amour au Clos began when I met Christine in Maury, in the Roussillon region. She is also an oenologist, and she suggested that my brother Christian, his wife Laurence, and I join forces to take over her grandfather’s vineyard. So in 2004, we embarked on an adventure with 10 hectares—no buildings, no staff, and no equipment, since the vineyards had been operated under leasehold agreements. With a lot of hard work and a family fully committed to creating Clos des Vins d’amour, our estate began to take shape.

Le Clos des Vins d’Amour Goes Organic

“Domaine Dornier” would have been too easy. When it came to the name, we decided to break away from boring conventions and instead highlight the love that unites us in this family venture. This approach to branding also reflects our wines, which are more modern and spontaneous than traditional, competition-oriented wines.

Over the past twelve years, Clos des Vins d’Amour has enjoyed considerable success, with annual sales rising from 6,000 bottles to over 70,000. The estate has also expanded, and we now cover 25 hectares, with Denis Grébul serving as the estate manager. So how do we continue to do things with love?

Christine and I always keep a close eye on the grape picking, the harvest, and the winemaking process. Our children are all involved in the estate’s development as well. When I talk about development today, I’m not referring to the size of the vineyard but rather to the range of products we offer. For example, we will soon be certified organic for the entire vineyard. We also aim to enhance the estate’s value, diversify our distribution networks, and develop events centered around our wines.

Le Clos des vins d’Amour, Un Baiser vintage

Le Clos des Vins d’Amour consists of three small plots, each with a different aspect. Grenache (white, grey, and black), Carignan, Syrah, and Mourvèdre… the grape varieties are as diverse as the characters of our wines. There is a youthful vibrancy in Idylle (a feminine, dynamic, and refined white wine) and in Flirt (a rosé full of energy and substance). Maturity is evident, for example, in Un Baiser —a rare blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre that is appreciated by those seeking terroir.

All in all, we can modestly say that our wines appeal to people of all ages. And that’s exactly what we love about Clos des Vins d’Amour: sharing our love of wine with everyone, whether you’re a novice or a connoisseur!