Domaine Ledogar

Domaine Ledogar, a family story

The story of Domaine Ledogar began in 1997, on the soils of Corbières, thanks to two brothers, Mathieu and Xavier.
Located in Languedoc at Ferrals-les-Corbières, on the Boutenac terroir, Domaine Ledogar is a family estate whose family has worked the vines for generations. It was once a cooperative cellar founded by great-grandfather Ledogar, and it carried on with André, Xavier and Mathieu's father.
Having spent all his holidays in the vineyard, Xavier always loved the winegrower's life. Not a fan of school, he skipped his science baccalaureate exam: he already knew he wanted to work with his father, in the vineyard. He worked with André from 1993 to 1998.
1998 was a turning point: Xavier and André bought a cellar and made their first wine. Xavier then struck out on his own and trained with winegrowers from different regions, where he understood the wines he wanted to make: elegant, fine and digestible. He returned to the estate to showcase the wines of Corbières.
In 2001 he was joined by his brother Mathieu, a former journeyman mechanic. In 2018 their brother Benoît joined after a career in the army. They are the fifth generation of winegrowers in the family.
Today Domaine Ledogar covers 22 hectares, run by talented winegrowers who fully express the Corbières terroir through quality natural wines.

Two brothers who elevate the Corbières appellation

85% of the estate lies in the Corbières appellation, with a remarkable feature: two thirds of the vineyard is Carignan and Grenache aged 60 to 130 years!
The vines grow on clay-limestone mixed with rolled pebbles and red sandstone, in the Corbières-Boutenac appellation. These poor soils are ideal for the aromatic expression of old Carignan.
The estate works around ten local grape varieties: for reds, Carignan, Cinsault, Syrah, Marselan, Mourvèdre and Grenache noir; for whites, mainly Carignan blanc and Macabeu, with Grenache blanc and gris and Terret gris, for whites of great character.
Masterful interpretations of terroir, complex wines with southern accents that take you on a journey… And the brothers' kindness is as worth discovering as their wines!

Biodynamics at the heart of Domaine Ledogar

In love with their terroir and respectful of what nature can offer, the Ledogar brothers practise biodynamics with excellence.
Organic since 1998, Xavier tried his first vinification without any additives in 2003, with more than satisfying results! Since then the estate has made only natural wines, and was certified organic in 2006.
Convinced that what grows in living soil is good, the siblings began questioning soil life as early as 2000, and its impact on the vines and the wines. The Ledogars went back to old-fashioned work: hand-harvesting with sorting, vines treated with nettle, comfrey or horsetail teas, clays and rock powder. Biodynamic horn manure and silica complete the picture, for revitalised plants and airier soils.
In the cellar, winemaking is traditional, destemmed or not depending on the year. Native yeasts do their work with no additives, except a minimum of sulphites at bottling if needed. An ideal method for remarkable natural wines.

The cuvées of Domaine Ledogar!

Each cuvée has its own personality, with one thing in common: light, digestible wines.
Among the reds, La Compagnon, an AOC Corbières, blends Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Mourvèdre: as much power as finesse, the perfect way to discover this lively appellation! Also available in magnum. La Mariole, a wine for friends made from Carignan with very little sulphur, is a pure expression of terroir, juicy and fresh. For a cuvée without added sulphites, Tout Nature lives up to its name: Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre for a well-crafted natural wine, fruity, full and fresh. The brothers' great cuvée in AOC Corbières-Boutenac is Ledogar: longer ageing to let the terroir reveal itself, a wine of character with great potential. From very old Cinsault vines on flint, Les Brunelles is the estate's flagship natural red: fruity, very fine, with a Burgundian feel!
For natural whites, the Carignan Blanc, aged in an egg-shaped vat, is stunningly fresh and energetic. And Petite Mélancolie strikes the perfect balance between the richness of southern whites and freshness. Bravo to the Ledogar brothers!

Natural wines from the Corbières appellation, as generous and exciting as the Ledogar brothers. An estate not to be missed on Epi-curieux.com.