Monte Lauro Products & Services

Our Wines

Monte Lauro Vineyards is the modern incarnation of an ancient wine making tradition at the Chateau de Montlaur.  The Montlaur family has roots here going back more than a thousand years and wine making has been documented extensively throughout this region since before the Romans.  As the leading family they have undoubtedly been stewards of the land through the better part of recorded history.

It is with pride then that we have re-embarked on this wonderful heritage with Jean de Montlaur.  He brings a passion for excellence, an extensive knowledge and experience of wine as well as a personal vision to impart good character into everything he does.  With the guidance and counsel of consultant Jean Pierre Martin, an oenologist and award winning wine producer in his own right the vineyards are being returned to peak conditioning with an eye towards meeting the certification requirements for organic production some time in the not-too-distant future.  For the time being, while the vines are being nurtured and new plantings are done, the vineyards wines will be made by the local cooperative, of which Jean is a member.  They themselves have a strong commitment to excellence of product and have modernized their facilities in line with the best practices of global wine making.  They’re led by a young, innovative team looking for the right opportunities to show the world how good they are and we are only too happy to have them working with us and to represent a number of their own productions in our offerings.  I can’t wait to get some of them over to the US and Canada to support the products.

As the wine arrives (March ’10) we will be putting in links and locations where it can be found.  AT least one location will be an online retailer.

Monte Lauro Sun – SUPER D’OC 2008
A syrah-grenache blend that is the best wine we can produce, hence the affectation SUPER D’OC, evocative of the Super Tuscan vintages, SUPER D’OC strives to be the highest and best wine a vineyard in Languedoc can make.  Perhaps not always available, or only in excellent years, this wine reflects what is at the heart of a winemaker’s joy – the proudest accomplishment that sums up the work of a season.

Marquis de Montlaur Classique - 2008
A syrah-grenache-mourvedre blend produced in stainless steel to let the strength and promise of the terroire shine through.  This wine is a real crowd pleaser and can proudly be served to the royalty at your own tables.  Open a couple of hours before serving for best effect.

Chateau des Aveylans Les Templiers – 2005
Another great syrah-grenache blend this wine is one of Jean Pierre’s best.  A full boded, chewy red wine rich in ripe red fruit flavors of cherry, prunes and apricots.  This wine is a multi-award winning wine with recommendations in the Hachette Guide in France and GSIMONDI in North America (89/100). The 2003 vintage was also a Gold Medal winner in French National Competition.  Open two hours before drinking for best results.

Bois Noyer Merlot -2009
This multi-award-winning vintage is very well known across the south of France and even into Paris where its simple earthy flavors are appreciated and enjoyed. Light tannins in the mouth are balanced by hints of bacon fat, revealing aromas of red fruits and spices.  An easy drinking wine you could easily polish off a couple of bottles before dinner…well maybe Jean & I could…alright, I could.

Les Celliers du Val des Pins Chardonnay 2009
This wine colour is of yellow straw with golden, sparkling sheens.  The ripe fruit imbues the wine with oil: oil that finds its expression in the tears in the glass of wine. The nose is of honey. It makes one think about ripe, summer fruits such as peach or apricot, with also a touch of white flowers.  These aromas diverge in the mouth where fat and freshness are sublimated with wine served cold.  You know, I didn’t write this description but there is no question that the wine DOES ACTUALLY DO THIS.  Close your eyes, smell it, warm the glass with your hands to release more perfume, swirl…take a sip, draw some breath across it….it is a perfect, un-oaked chardonnay…it is what the grapes are supposed to taste like when they are crafted rather than produced.

Other wines arriving later this year….

Marquis de Montlaur “Fut de Chene” – an oaked “Classique”
Monte Lauro “Moon” Sauvignon Blanc
Monte Lauro Eclipse Cabernet Rosé
Domaine des Aveylans Cuvée Prestige – Syrah
La Berangére Blanc de Blancs
La Berangére Sparkling Rosé – the best I’ve ever tasted!

The Gift Pack

You can always have a little piece of Montlaur with you at your own home.  Corinne, Christian’s wife meticulously collects local wild herbs including thyme, rosemary and laurel (bay) while she is tending her bees.  These herbs have an intensity of flavor and aroma that you simply cannot imagine from store bought spices.  She has put together gifts packs that can be ordered and sent directly to you which include this selection of local herbs, her own honey and olive oil from the finest producer in the area, just a short walk down the road at Olivette des Amour.

Tours, Accommodations and Stays

Apart from the many programs supported by Monte Lauro Vineyards such as Memoir Writing, French Cooking, and Photography (which you can read about on the programs page), you can also take excursions, stay at or near the farm and participate in many of the programs and activities that we work on daily.  While we are a private, members serving establishment those that are interested in exploring the possibility of membership are encouraged to come and visit and will be accorded special rates.  To preserve the rights of full members this offering can be taken advantage of only once without membership or accompaniment by a member.  Consider it “trial vineyard ownership”.