Colline de l'Hirondelle

Didier comes from a winemaking family in the small town of Douzens near Carcassonne in the AOP of Corbieres.  Jenn comes from Berkeley, CA.  She studied French Literature and naturally travelled to France and naturally fell in love with a Frenchman.  After travelling together (is there any better way to really get to know someone?), they moved back to Douzens and started a life in the Languedoc.  They bought 4 choice hectares from Didier's father, were given 2.5 more as a wedding present, and have since planted another hectare and a half.  They made their first wines in 2008 and sold them in 2010.  Farming has been organic from the start.  The hill where the winery and their house sits is a declared bird refuge (thus Colline de Hirondelle - Hill of the Swallow).  

Although they are within the AOP of Corbieres, they do not use the Corbieres appellation for their wines.  This is primarily because they are working with a rare grape called Chenançon (a genetic cross between Grenache and Jurançon Noir) that is not allowed in the appellation.  They also produce a wine from a very tiny and very old vineyard that is a field blend of 13 varieties - only 11 of which have been identified.  One can imagine the headache that causes within the wine bureaucracies of France.  So they work with the very broad Languedoc AOP.  

Their wines are fresh and full of energy.  The sun and heat of southern France is represented, but so is the ancient terroir and the Mediterranean Sea.  

Colline de l'Hirondelle "Ventilo" 

Rose made from the rare and wonderful Chenançon grape. This racy Rose-colored wine is crisp and lively with beautiful fruit aromas.  Enough body for food, but enough acidity and delicacy for an aperitif.  

Colline de l'Hirondelle "Cocolico"

Deep ruby color with violet highlights. Smooth and balanced with surprising raspberry red fruit aromas. Unique blend of Chenançon, Grenache and Syrah.

Colline de l'Hirondelle "Oiseau"

A wine that is both powerful and sleek with aromas of fragrant black fruit, violet and toasted cinnamon. A blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah, made in the tradition of fine Corbières wines.

Colline de l'Hirondelle "Carignan"

This 100% Carignan blend comes from two plots of old vines, one at 70 years old and the other at 90.  Dark and powerful but with a lifted core of bright fruit.  

Colline de l'Hirondelle "La Joupatière"

A rare field-blend of heirloom grape varieties. Made from an acre (.4 HA) plot of very old vines containing 15 grape varieties, many of them own rooted, only 13 of which have been identified.  This wine is history in a bottle.  Extremely unique, extremely rare and a gem of a wine.