Mireille and Jacques Tournat: Revitalizing Domaine Belles Courbes

From Medicine and Viticulture to Languedoc Winemaking

Mireille is a doctor, while her husband Jacques is a winemaker in Charentes. In 2014, the couple embarked on a quest to find a small estate to acquire in the Languedoc region, where Mireille originates. The perfect opportunity arose when Jean-Benoît Pelletier decided to sell Domaine Belles Courbes, a small vineyard situated in the heart of the AOC Saint-Chinian terroir.

We were looking for a vineyard with low yield and good climatic conditions. The potential of this property seemed interesting, especially because of its location, perched on a hill at 250 meters altitude, explains the couple.

Mireille and Jacques, who continue to pursue their respective professions in Charentes, quickly assembled a team. Still present on-site, former owner Jean-Benoît Pelletier works daily as the cellar master under the expert guidance of Bruno Tringali, a renowned oenologist from Var.

"Let the Terroir Speak"

The first harvest at Domaine Belles Courbes under the Tournat stewardship took place in 2015. The estate comprises about a dozen hectares of vines almost gathered in a single plot, forming regular lines, hence its name "Belles Courbes" (Beautiful Curves).

The estate’s wine range includes 4 reds and 2 rosés. All the wines are crafted from the typical regional grape varieties: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Carignan. Constantly striving for quality, the Domaine Belles Courbes team focuses on producing concentrated wines with a distinctive character and pronounced garrigue notes.

The important thing is to let the terroir speak. We place a lot of emphasis on the freshness of our schist soils and our vines, which are over 50 years old, and we primarily practice sustainable viticulture, explains Mireille.

The estate's flagship wine, the "Totem" cuvée, perfectly meets these criteria. Made from Grenache, it comes from vines located at the top of the hill, benefiting from a 360° exposure. Fresh and persistent on the palate, this wine reveals gourmand aromas of garrigue, spices, black fruits, and licorice. It’s the perfect wine to accompany grilled red meats at a barbecue!

Artistic Endeavors at the Estate

In their constant quest for renewal, Mireille and Jacques are exploring numerous development avenues for their estate. A painting enthusiast, Mireille hopes to organize art workshops and exhibitions. This is a dream she hopes to realize in the coming years…