Valentin Letoquart
Lubéron, Rhône, France
Valentin Letoquart is a passionated young winemaker. Established in Oppède in Lubéron, southeastern Rhône. In 2013, after having worked in multiple organic vineyards, he decided to make his own wines and created Val de Combrès. The wines deviate from the typical wines of the region, especially due to Valentin’s atypical work in the vines. He tends to nearly eight hectares of vines, situated in remote and secluded, hard to work plots in the rising hills that form the border with the Provence. Surrounded by forests and far from the flats, these are the perfect places for Valentin to carry out his meticulous biodynamic work. Ploughing with a horse, he prefers plant-based infusions to chemical treatments and sulphites. Come winter, a flock of animals even descends from the Alps to graze in his vineyards, mowing them and providing him with high-quality compost.
In the cellar, Valentin lets nature do it’s work. Indigenous yeasts are used for the fermentation, whole bunches are used for carbonic maceration or the grapes are de-stemmed and macerated gently. All in order to achieve gentle extraction. No sulphites are added and Valentin often bottles in the spring following the harvest.
The wines are light, lively, exuberant and fruit-forward. Valentin really transmits a sense of fun with his wines, especially through his juicy reds. Val de Combrès are definitely wines for a good time!
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