Château de Luc: the new 100% female generation ready to take over

Château de Luc is nestled on the terraces of the Alaric mountain, in the heart of the Corbières region, on dry, stony, windswept soils covered in garrigue. The vines have deep roots, producing rich grapes for wines of exceptional quality. Louis, an emblematic figure of Château de Luc, is beginning to pass on his legacy to the next generation, who are equally motivated and passionate about the region, wine, and history. Jeanne, one of Louis's daughters, welcomed us to the estate.

"The land: that's where it all begins."

When we arrive at Château de Luc, the visit begins with a walk around the vineyard plots, through the garrigue, at the very heart of the Fabre family 's work. Jeanne tells us that Louis knows the plots by heart and in every nook and cranny.

When Louis obtained Ecocert certification for the estate in 1992, he was a pioneer of organic farming in the region. His commitment to the environment and ecology goes far beyond the label. It's a conviction, a philosophy reflected in their working practices and a priority for the entire family. Every other row of vines is planted with cover crops to enrich the soil with nitrogen. Hedges and olive trees are planted around the plots to preserve biodiversity.

Luc Castle Cellars

According to Jeanne: "Having a label isn't enough to define yourself as organic. My parents were involved in this fight long before. The label formalizes the approach and pushes us to reflect on and improve our methods and practices."

Luc Castle: between modernity and tradition

Louis is the heart and soul of Château de Luc: a passionate scientist, but also a poet and philosopher, he is dedicated to preserving the heritage he inherited from his family. A tour of the château leads us into a small room, a veritable museum dedicated to the place, the village, and the region. "We have many inventors in the family: my great-grandfather invented a chromatometer, and my grandfather invented railcars that allow the harvested grapes to be transported to the vat without damaging them, " explains Jeanne. Following in the family tradition, Louis is also an inventive man, meticulous in his attention to detail. A self-taught man, he pushes problems to their limits to find the most effective solutions.

Jeanne tells us: " Technology is like a stained-glass window that must let sunlight through. It must enhance and elevate the taste of the terroir and the grapes in the wine, not hide it and thus standardize the bottles. "

With the help of two oenologists, Stéphane Yerle and Bernard Rehs, the Fabre family is open to innovation and doesn't hesitate to try new techniques. Their latest? The use of polymer eggs for aging red wines is currently being tested.

The energy of the new generation

Louis is gradually passing the torch to the next generation: Clémence, Jeanne, and Paule, respectively Louis's daughters and niece, have arrived at the château to take over the family business. After long and fascinating studies, travels abroad, and various work experiences, they have returned, motivated, full of energy and determination, to the family estate.

Clémence is developing exports to Asia, Jeanne wants to promote wine tourism , and Paule is handling the château's finances. Patiently and with great passion, Louis is passing on to them the keys, the skills, the secrets, but also his work ethic.

As for the wines: concentration and harmony

The result of this alchemy between generations, tradition and innovation, terroir and grape varieties, is wines of great finesse that reflect the typicity of the region, express the terroir, and are simply meant to be shared and enjoyed. The Château de Luc range is available at Les Grappes : expressive, fruity, and pleasant, it reveals the garrigue, spices, and floral notes that characterize the terroir.

Our advice : go and discover their wide range of wines , spread across several appellations: from the lands of Corbières-Boutenac to the alluvial lands of the plains, each of the wines will seduce you with its character.

Manon Mouly (for Les Grappes )