Domaine de la Combe au Mas

Stretching along the foot of the famed Mont Ventoux, the winegrowing area of Ventoux has gradually asserted its uniqueness among the terroirs of the Southern Rhône, having long been considered inferior, due in part to its geographic position on the edge of the valley, as well as the commercial focus of Rhône wine merchants. Gaining AOC status in 1973 under the name Côtes-du-Ventoux (it was renamed Ventoux in 2009), the appellation stands out for its distinct geological and climatic characteristics. These features have allowed a handfull of independent winemakers (with 80% of production still in the hands of cooperatives) to showcase a true identity through the region's traditional Rhône grape varieties.

In 2019, Marie-Sophie Jullien—hailing from her family's estate, La Ferme Saint-Martin in Suzette (Beaumes-de-Venise)—and Thomas Ayoun settled in the vast amphitheatre of Carpentras, in central Ventoux. Located on the southern foothills of Mont Ventoux, near Mormoiron, they cultivate around 10 hectares of vines at altitudes between 300 and 400 metres, on clay-limestone soils, galets and silt – along with their parcels of olive and fruit trees. Domaine de la Combe au Mas is firmly committed to organic farming, with a deep respect for biodiversity, soil health and plant balance. This viticultural approach extends to the winemaking, where only indigenous yeasts are used, with no additions (except for a light sulfiting at bottling). Ageing takes place in large century-old Spanish clay amphorae (20– 40 hectolitre capacity), producing wines with a distinct and authentic identity.