This domaine was founded by Laurent Combier’s great grand father in 1936 and started out life as several hectares of vines (the grapes were sold every year to the local cooperative) and apricot trees. In 1989, Laurent’s parents ended the deal with the negociant and started looking after the 5 hectares themselves. Little by little they expanded the domaine to 15 hectares. Today it spans 25 hectares (mostly in Crozes but with a small amount in Saint-Joseph). Laurent’s arrival in 1990 marked a new chapter for the domaine. This oenology graduate constructed a new winery and made the domaine entirely independent (it was he who pushed for a break from the cooperative), introducing new methods such as the use of concrete vats and amphorae to give the wines a silkier texture. Today the wines have reached new heights. Organically produced and matured in a way that preserves the freshness and fruit, it’s difficult to find a better Crozes-Hermitage! Difficult, but not impossiblele as Laurent Combier has started working with the Spanish oenologue Veronica Ortega on some parcel selections in Crozes and Saint-Joseph. First results are very promising and these cuvées will be on the market soon.

The Saint-Joseph Cap Nord of Domaine Combier is a single varietal of Syrah grown on plots of the villages of Serves and Gervans. They are blessed with south-western exposure and fructified on soils of slightly sandy decomposed granite, called loess. Their yields are limited to 35 hl/ha. Grapes are harvested by hand and the berries are vinified in small vats with some punch-down to extract their substance and colour. The wine is then aged in four-year-old barrels for 12 months. This single vineyard cuvée can be enjoyed when young but decanting is recommended at least one hour before serving to savour all its fruity floral and spicy aromas.