In 1981, Guy Vanlancker was a young Belgian schoolteacher. Escaping the mists of the Ardennes, fate led him to the magnificent vineyards of La Livinière. He worked the land while also working as a winegrower on another estate. The estate’s total 17 hectares included 6.5 hectares of vines and 10.5 hectares of garrigue. After uprooting and replanting part of the estate, La Combe Blanche became an avant-garde domain, thanks to the planting of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Viognier and Roussanne between 1983 and 1986. Parcels of old vineyards were meticulously restored and replanted with Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. In 2000, Guy decided to devote himself solely to cultivating his vines and making his own wines.
The estate is located on the heights of Cru La Livinière, at an altitude of around 250 m, on the edge of the causse, on the slopes of the Calamiac hamlet. The AOC soils, mostly clay-limestone, face south, while the cooler, clay-marl soils facing north are planted with Pinot noir and Tempranillo. The pedoclimatic qualities of these soils make Calamiac an exceptional terroir for the production of great wines. In 2021, the estate was certified organic and Guy’s son Ambroise took over. A new wine cellar, a new tasting room and restructuring of the vineyard to further refine quality. The La Livinière appellation is divided into several cuvées to reflect the nuances of the cru and the ageing methods used to enhance it.
The range is vast, and Domaine Combe Blanche aims to illustrate the variety of qualities of this wonderful terroir!