Domaine Terrebrune

Before acquiring vineyards, Georges Delille trained as a sommelier in Paris.  In 1963, he bought what would become Domaine de Terrebrune, a property in Ollioules, just east of Bandol, framed by the Mediterranean and the mountain called Gros-Cerveau (Big Brain), dotted with olive groves and scenic views—an idyllic spot. During the years following the declaration of A.O.C. Bandol (1941), mass overhauling and reconstruction of vineyards were commonplace, and vignerons were eager to revive the noble Mourvèdre grape. Georges spent ten years just renovating the property; he terraced hillsides, refashioned the masonry, replanted vineyards following the advice of Lucien Peyraud, designated soils to lie dormant and regenerate, and built a new cellar. In 1980, his son Reynald joined him after finishing winemaking school, and together they launched their first bottled vintage of Domaine de Terrebrune, which Reynald named in honor of the rich, brown soils they farm.

Reynald’s Bandols are different. There is a more ethereal quality to them, a real freshness—and with Mourvèdre accounting for 85% of the final assemblage, this is praise indeed. Soil, climate, and winemaking all play a role. Limestone dominates the subsoil of Bandol, with tremendous variation between vineyards. Throughout Terrebrune’s thirty hectares, beneath the layers of clay and earth, the blue, fissured, Trias limestone is silently at work. This bedrock lends a more noticeable minerality to the wine than others. The soil here is healthy and full of nutrients, because he adheres to organic farming practices; to achieve the balance in the vineyards, he plows regularly. Gentle maritime breezes funnel air into the vineyards directly from the Mediterranean, cooling the grapes from the bright sun—another factor in safeguarding the freshness. This, in turn translates to wines for great long-term cellaring, including the rosé and dry white. Reynald’s credo of “Philosophy, Rigor, and Respect” is not a catch-phrase. He believes that the hard work and extra attention to the vines is worth it, and, as they say, the proof’s in the pudding—a glass of Terrebrune!

• Organic viticulture with absolutely no chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers

• Soil is worked regularly by plow and hand-hoes

• Buds are trimmed and a green harvest is practice to purposefully limit yields; the average yield is between 35-38 hl/ha

• All grapes are harvested by hand, and selection takes place in the vineyards instead of on a sorting table

• Grapes are de-stemmed and then gently pressed by pneumatic press

• Wines ferment in underground, temperature-controlled, gravity-fed cuves

Bandol Blanc:

• Slow fermentations at low temperatures

• Wine does not go through malolactic fermentation

• Ages for 6-8 months in stainless steel tank before bottling

Bandol Rosé:

• Slow fermentations at low temperatures

• Wine does not go through malolactic fermentation

• Ages for 6-8 months in stainless steel before bottling

• Wine can age for up to 20 years

• Rosé made 50% by saignée and 50% by direct press
 

Vin de Pays du Mont Caume Rouge  “Terre d’Ombre” :

• Declassified Bandol fruit from youngest vines

• Fermented in stainless steel, aged 5 months in foudre

Bandol Rouge:

• Fermentation lasts for 15-21 days in closed cuve

• Maceration by pump-over

• Wine ages in oak foudres for 18 months

• Aging potential: 30 years