The Domaine de Vénus: the challenge of transitioning to organic farming

In the heart of the upper Agly Valley in the Catalan hinterland, Domaine de Vénus was established 13 years ago. The estate's story is rather unusual: 10 wine enthusiasts joined forces to create a project driven by a strong desire to produce great wines. Today, surrounded by some twenty partners, Alice Euvrard manages this promising vineyard. She shares with us the success of the " L'Effrontée " cuvée, as well as the estate's new challenge: its conversion to organic farming.

The Domaine de Vénus, the surprising story of 10 wine enthusiasts in Roussillon

The story of Domaine de Vénus begins with Jean-Luc Coupet & Jean-François Nègre and 8 other wine-loving friends, including myself, the estate's sales director. Our goal: to create great wines.

The estate's slogan is actually a quote from Leonardo da Vinci that perfectly expresses the philosophy of all the partners:

"Happiness comes to men where great wines are born."

The 20 partners who make up the estate today come from very different sectors and industries, such as banking and insurance, but we all share one thing in common: we are all wine enthusiasts. This diversity is also reflected in the 40 plots scattered across the Côtes Catalanes , Côtes de Roussillon , Côtes de Roussillon Villages , and Maury appellations. Nine different indigenous grape varieties, some over a century old, with diverse orientations but all sharing the same terroir: the black schist of the upper Agly Valley.

Alice Euvrard makes her mark in Roussillon

The estate was initially established with 7 hectares of vines and has recently reached 60 hectares. This latest expansion of 15 hectares in the Maury appellation dates from December 2015 thanks to the purchase of an estate in the neighboring village of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet.

Today, we can not only expand our vineyard but, more importantly, add new nuances to our range of wines. This latest 15-hectare expansion, which is already organic, allows Domaine de Vénus to lay the foundation for our new challenge.

Our favorite wines from the estate:

The Demons 2015

Passions 2010

A new challenge for Domaine de Vénus: conversion to organic farming

The name of the estate was chosen to pay homage to the creation of elegant and feminine wines in the somewhat rugged, even macho, environment of this high valley in the Pyrenees-Orientales, and I am very proud to be part of this adventure. We have built our vineyard with passion and continue to take on many challenges every day.

Today, we are able to produce exceptional wines in a vineyard that was not particularly renowned for this 15 years ago. The vines are cultivated in a challenging environment, between 300 and 500 meters above sea level. Another major challenge that we have brilliantly met, and of which we are very proud, is that we have succeeded in creating fresh white wines in a region known for its full-bodied reds. We aim to champion authentic wines with highly personal blends, rather than wines made using technological techniques or excessive oak influence.

Within three years, our entire vineyard will be converted to organic farming and will be better able to meet the demands of our team. We have opted for low yields, hand-harvesting, traditional winemaking, and minimal use of oak barrels. And thanks to the diversity of our vineyard, we can create unique blends that we are very proud of.

The success of the "L'Effrontée" vintage from Domaine de Vénus

Nestled beneath the Cathar castles of the upper Agly Valley, the wines of Domaine de Vénus are among the finest, particularly our white wine, " L'Effrontée ." This cuvée graces the tables of several Michelin-starred chefs and is highly prized both in France and abroad.

The red wines, perhaps more traditional, are also worth exploring. We vinify each plot separately, offering endless blending possibilities. The different cuvées allow everyone to find the perfect red, from the fruitiest, freshest, and lightest to the most indulgent, structured, and complex. All you have to do is choose your Grand Vin!

Stephanie (Les Grappes)