Ethos & Vision
Our aim is to create wines that truly give a sense of place, with minimal intervention that allows the terroir to speak for itself. We make wines in small volumes using organic methods, and are working towards being fully biodynamic, too. We believe this is the best way to create wines that truly express their terroir, with each of our cuvées telling a different story.
The Place
Named after the two hundred metre-wide meteorite crater which lies at the heart of the domaine, our vineyard sits in the village of Cabrerolles, at over three hundred metres of altitude in the foothills of the Haut-Languedoc mountains.
The land on which we are situated influences the quality of our wines considerably. The Cevennes mountains to our north shelter us from harsh winds and create a down-current of cool air that brings freshness and acidity, while the Mediterranean to the south provides the warm sea breezes which bring full maturity to our fruit. Beyond that, the soil in which our vines are rooted has notable expression in the wines themselves.
We are situated on rocky schist soils, derived from slate and found in only a few areas in the world. On schist, vine roots are forced to grow deep, which keeps yields low and brings a distinctive minerality to the wines, whilst they are suffused with the aromas of the wild herbs which characterise the area.
At Domaine du Météore we are unique in having vines in two of the area’s most famous appellations: Faugères and Saint-Chinian (Roquebrun), between which the structure of the soils differs considerably. Faugères tends to be composed of yellow/brown schist, while Saint-Chinian is dominated by blue schist. Having vines in both of these places allows us to explore and compare their influence across our range.
Sustainability at Domaine du Météore
At our winery, sustainability is at the core of our winemaking philosophy. We proudly hold the Ecocert Organic Winemaking Certification, reflecting our commitment to eco-friendly practices. We are currently in the process of converting our vineyard to biodynamic farming, further promoting a healthier ecosystem. In our efforts to minimize our environmental impact, we focus on water and energy conservation, spreading the wastewater from the cave into the ground around the domaine, energy-efficient heat/cooling pumps and LED lighting throughout the winery. Our approach also includes enhancing biodiversity with cover crops, fruit trees and beehives, which contribute to the overall balance of our vineyard. We have also taken steps to reduce the carbon footprint of our products by using lighter wine bottles and recycling waste materials through communal recycling plants, ensuring that every part of our production process is aligned with our sustainability goals.
Working at Domaine du Météore
In accordance with French law and the Labour Code, our winery takes a proactive approach to ensuring a safe and fair working environment for all employees. We implement strict measures to prevent workplace risks, including regular assessments and safety protocols, to minimize potential hazards. We provide ongoing information and training to all staff, ensuring they are equipped to handle their responsibilities safely and effectively. In compliance with the Labour Code, we respect the 35-hour working week and ensure that any overtime is paid as required, alongside adequate rest periods to maintain work-life balance. Our commitment to equal opportunities is reflected in a diverse and inclusive workplace, where all employees are given the same chances for career growth and advancement, regardless of background. Additionally, we prioritize employee health by meeting all legal obligations to protect their well-being, offering appropriate health benefits and support to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.
Life at Domaine du Météore
We are deeply committed to supporting the local community and fostering strong relationships with nearby businesses. We prioritize working with local suppliers and producers in our wine production and supply chains, ensuring that our operations contribute to the region’s economic growth. Additionally, we proudly collaborate with local artisans by promoting and selling their products. We also support local musicians and artists by hosting events and exhibitions at the Domaine, celebrating creativity and cultural expression within our community. Furthermore, we actively support local associations and their fundraising activities through donations.
The People
The domaine is owned by Paul Jenkins, Paul Jarman, Vinkey & Andrew Allen. The two Pauls are London-based doctors, friends and wine enthusiasts who have known the area well for many years. Passionate about the possibilities presented by the Faugères schist terroir to create truly compelling wines, they spent a long time searching for a vineyard with the right potential, history and a truly unique setting. When they found Domaine du Météore, they knew they had found the right land and vines to create the wines they wanted. They were joined in 2021 by Vinkey & Andrew Allen, friends and fellow wine enthusiasts, who live in San Francisco from where they are building out the US business.
Our Winemaker
Simon Frech, Director
Born in Bordeaux where his grandfather was a winemaker, Simon Frech is our Director. He has considerable international experience having worked in prestigious vineyards in New Zealand and Argentina; in the latter he was head of R+D in a 130 Ha estate where he learnt an enormous amount about vinification techniques. He has worked in France for the last 15 years, gaining awards for his wine-making, but is passionate about the potential of our terroir and shares our view that it can make great wines. He believes that in order to do so, humility is essential and it is only when you can observe and know the vines from each plot, and their corresponding wines, can you adapt different techniques to make original wines that can fully express our great terroir.
Jean Natoli, Consultant
We are very pleased to be working with Jean, a highly renowned agronomist-oenologist and one of the Languedoc’s most influential wine consultants. With a guiding principle that every wine should have its own character and purpose, he has helped to create some of the Languedoc’s very best wines. He works together with Simon to help bring our wines to life, bringing impressive technical experience to match Simon’s winemaking skills.
Visit Us
The vineyard is quietly nestled in the Haut-Languedoc national park and we are delighted to welcome visitors for tastings, walks and more. With sweeping views down to the Mediterranean and, at our heart, the huge meteorite crater after which we are named, it is a truly one-of-a-kind place to visit.
Find out more about visiting the domaine, tastings, exploring the area and more.
