Côtes de Gascogne

Domaine Rubens Spengler

After creating an 800-hectare animal sanctuary in Canada, home to free-roaming North American animals such as bears, wolves and moose, the Splengers – father and son – set themselves a new challenge after buying Domaine Rubens in autumn 2017.

Where Canada’s wealth stems from its bountiful nature, France’s unquestionably lies in its wide array of vineyard sites or terroirs and extensive range of wines.

Here, the local soils of fawn sands rich in iron oxide and ‘boulbènes’, interspersed with silt and clay, produce fruity, soft and aromatic wines from grape varieties such as Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng and Colombard.

The vineyard is being entirely redesigned, starting with plantings in spring 2018 with emphasis now being placed on new, more environmentally-friendly techniques. Planting density, leaf area management for individual sites, observation of grass cover needs, continued use of green fertilisers and introduction of plant compost are all aspects that need to be factored precisely into the equation over coming vintages.

Grape harvesting continues to occur at the peak of ripeness for each individual vineyard. The customised winery and blends crafted with almost surgical precision have already enabled Domaine Rubens Spengler to produce elegant, fruity wines. Use of bio protection during the winemaking process is now systematic and an integral part of a new challenge, which is to restrict inputs like sulphur.

Winemaker Julien Belle, a partner at Oenoteam, and viticulture advisor Lilian Bachellerie are providing the property with support in order to maximise the potential of these Gascon soils.

The choice of South-West France as ‘Wine Region of 2017’ by the prestigious American magazine Wine Enthusiast, was no accident!

WINE FACT SHEET:

Domaine Rubens Spengler Cuvée Les Terrasses
IGP Côtes de Gascogne

Sustainably farmed white wine
Soils: fawn sands, clayey silt.
Varietal range: Petit and Gros Manseng.
Ageing: 6 months in tanks.
Price: €21 including VAT ex-cellar.

Consultant winemaker: Julien Belle