From the Brigitte Bardot of Corbières and her endearing husband come the wines of Fond Cyprès, a soulful, luscious lineup of Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Muscat, Cinsault and blends thereof.

The couple, whose real names are Laetitia Ourliac & Rodolphe Gianesini, is intent on producing wines that express their sultry slice of the Languedoc — specifically, Escales, in the northernmost part of the Corbières AOC. Their domaine begins at the end of a road lined with Cypress trees and extends in either direction across 15ha of lush vegetation, a secret garden of olives, tomatoes, eggplants, wild herbs, and newly-born kittens.

We first met Laetitia and Rodolphe in the deep, damp recesses of Cave Ackerman on a February afternoon in the Loire, and even then their wines were singing. But when we pulled up to their home in August and were greeted by bowls of freshly grilled palourdes, mussels, garlic, and parsley cooked in the juice we were about to drink, we understood their wines had made it feel like summer all along.

FOND CYPRÈS

Country: France

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon

Sub-region or Appellation: Corbières

Winemakers and Owners: Laetitia Ourliac, Rodolphe Gianesini

Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006

Terroir: Calcareous soil, and blue marl

Size: 15 ha

Website: fond-cypres.com
Instagram: @fond_cypres

FOND CYPRÈS :: Cyprès de Toi Blanc

100% Chardonnay grown on calcareous soil and blue marl in Escales. A crowd-pleasing, food-friendly white made with grapes purchased from a certified organic neighbor. Minimal SO2 added at bottling. A companion for the warmer months, with notes of Asian pear and granny smith apples conjuring up an imaginary outdoor lunch. Hints of thyme oil, fresh-squeezed lemon and herbes de Provence make the case for a pairing with any meal, really—breakfast through dinner.

Vintage: 2022
Grapes: Chardonnay
Style: White Wine
ABV: 12.5%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Direct pressed and cold settled followed by fermentation in stainless steel.
Aging: Aged in stainless steel
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Cyprès de Toi Rosé

It's mid July. You're cruising in a sprinter van down narrow streets through Lézignan, four dozen shucked oysters in the back on ice. You stop at a local bar to meet some guys. You end up having three drinks. As you step out onto the streets a pressure system blowing down off the Pyrenees meets the Mediterraean winds, sweeping over sun-kissed Grenache vines just across the way. This is *that rosé.

Vintage: 2022
Grapes: Malbec
Style: Rosé Wine
ABV: 12.5%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Cold soaked and direct pressed into stainless steel tanks
Aging: Aged in stainless steel
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Premier Jus

This enigmatic blend of Carignan and Grenache slips delightfully between a ‘chilled red’ and a ‘dark rosé.’ In the summertime it’s an antidote to humidity, a refreshing plunge into a cold spring. The rest of the year, it’s like one of those crisp days that appears out of the blue to calm and rejuvenate you in one fell swoop. Pure addictive glou.

Vintage: 2021, 2022
Grapes: Carignan, Grenache
Style: “Red” Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines: 15 years old
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Carignan sees two days of whole cluster fermentation, then submerged in fermenting Grenache juice and pressed immediately
Aging: 6 months in barrique. Bottled sans soufre.
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Cyprès de Toi Rouge

A blend of Syrah and Grenache grown on calcareous soil and blue marl just outside Escales, a medieval town in the northernmost part of the Corbières AOC. The “vent Cers”  or winds from the northwest bring cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air from the Mediterranean to the east, known as the “vent Marin.” Seriously quaffable, this zero-zero blend is medium-bodied and super clean, light and chewy with gentle tannins. Crunchy black fruit, a sprinkling of peppercorn and a long, fresh finish. Mortadella vibes. 

Vintage: 2021
Grapes: 60% Syrah, 30% Grenache Noir, 10% Carignan
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13.5%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Destemmed and fermented for three weeks in concrete
Aging: Aged in flex tank. Bottled sans soufre.
Fining or Filtering: None

SUPER GLOU X FOND CYPRÈS :: ROUGE

A mouth-watering, lip-smacking bottling of Cinsault and Grenache, from a parcel chosen for its ability to ripen at a low degree of alcohol. There’s lot of finesse here, coupled with an almost athletic length: “cerise en nez et cerise en bouche [cherry on the nose, cherry on the palate]... ça pinote [acts like a Pinot].” Made exclusively for Super Glou and inspired by our house cat Lamont, who, if a person, would lounge around all day slurping this.

Vintage: 2021
Grapes: Cinsault (80%), Grenache Noir (20%)
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 12%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines:
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: 7 day maceration
Aging: in cement tanks
Fining or Filtering: None

SUPER GLOU X FOND CYPRÈS :: BLANC

A lush parcel of Grenache blanc vinified “avec la patte [paw] Fond Cyprès” exclusively for Super Glou. Playful and balanced with a long, sultry finish. Pressed direct into stainless. Inspired by one of their fourteen cats who displayed an affinity for baguettes on a recent visit.

Vintage: 2021
Grapes: Grenache Blanc
Style: White Wine
ABV: 13%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines:
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Direct pressed into stainless steel tank
Aging:
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: La Syrah de la Pinède

Young (fifteen-year-old), lively Syrah vines bordering the neighboring forest of pine and Cypress trees, La Pinède. Only when we got lost on a solo hike through La Pinède did we understand how expansive these woods are, and how much this wine tastes the way the trees smell. Vibrant, bright and lush like its surroundings.

Vintage: 2019, 2020
Grapes: Syrah
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13.5%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines: 60 years old
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Destemmed and fermented for four weeks in concrete
Aging: 9-10 months in barrique with gentle extractions. Bottled sans soufre.
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Le Carignan de la Source

Sixty-year-old Carignan vines grow on an idyllic parcel abutting their home, at the foot of a fresh water stream flowing from the forest above. Supremely happy, pretty grapes from vines that have earned elegance with age. Harvested by hand and then kept four weeks in concrete followed by one year in barrels. Nothing added, nothing removed. Rustic, wild, and free.

Vintage: 2019, 2020
Grapes: Carignan
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 13.5%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines: 60 years old
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Destemmed and fermented for four weeks in concrete
Aging: Aged 12 months in demi-muids (600L neutral French oak barrels typically used in the Rhone). Bottled sans soufre.
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume

Sixty-year-old Grenache vines from a parcel protected on three borders by woods affording generous shade (the downhill border is a grove of biodynamic olive trees). 4wks in concrete followed by 9-10 months in Burgundy barrels. Nothing adding, nothing removed. Savory with a long finish. Aromas of forest floor and garrigue.

Vintage: 2019, 2020
Grapes: Grenache
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 15%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines: 15 years old
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Destemmed and fermented for four weeks in concrete
Aging: 9-10 months in old Burgundy barrels. Bottled sans soufre.
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Le Cordières des Andes

A blend of equal parts of Le Carignan de la Source, Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume, and La Syrah de la Pinède. Each year, they blend the three separate wines in identical proportions to obtain a snapshot of the estate in its vintage — and a record of climate change. Tasting reveals the complexity of layers: the finesse of the Syrah, the freshness of the Carignan and the depth of the Grenache. Expressive and timeless.

Vintage: 2019, 2020
Grapes: 33% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 33% Carignan
Style: Red Wine
ABV: 14%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines: 15-60 year old
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Carignan, Syrah, and Grenache are destemmed and fermented separately for four weeks in concrete. 
Aging: Carignan is aged 12 months in demi-muids (600L neutral French oak barrels typically used in the Rhone). Grenache is aged 9-10 months in old Burgundy barrels. Syrah is aged 9-10 months in old barriques. Bottled sans soufre.
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Le Blanc des Garennes

A co-ferment of Grenache blanc, Viognier and Roussanne from the Garennes parcel, all picked at the same time with different maturities to avoid the Southern French tendency toward “heavy” white wine, which Laetitia and Rodolphe personally don’t care for. They solve this issue by balancing the Viognier and Roussanne, which ripen at the same time, with the Grenache blanc which has yet to reach full maturity at time of harvest. All grapes are direct pressed, co-fermented and aged in barrels for 12 months, lending freshness and tension to the wine. Nothing added, nothing removed. A rich and deep texture, aromas of exotic fruits, spices and citrus. Hints of Iberico ham, porcini mushrooms, caramelized shallots, reminiscent of sherry. The finish is forever.

Vintage: 2019, 2020
Grapes: Grenache blanc, Viognier, Roussanne
Style: White Wine
ABV: 13.5%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines: 18 years old
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: Destemmed and direct pressed then co-fermented for four weeks in concrete.
Aging: Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak barrels. Bottled sans soufre.
Fining or Filtering: None

FOND CYPRÈS :: Retour de Milan

Eighteen week maceration of Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains from the Garennes parcel. Only six rows of vines, highly limited. “Quixotic, late summer apricot”.

Vintage: 2018, 2019
Grapes: Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
Style: Orange Wine
ABV: 14%
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Sub-Region or Appellation: Corbières
Viticulture: Certified Organic 2006
Age of Vines: 18 years old
Soils: Calcareous soil and blue marl, yet winds are just as important: the “vent Cers” from the northwest brings cold, dry weather as a counterpoint to the warm, humid air to the east, the Mediterranean “vent Marin”
Elevation: 170–660 feet
Yeasts: Indigenous
Vinification: 18 week maceration
Aging: Aged for 12 months in neutral barriques.
Fining or Filtering: None