KEY DATES
PHILOSOPHY
Established in 1998, Domaine de Nizas seeks to craft high-quality
artisan wines that reveal the outstanding terroir of Pézenas, where the
vines are grown, as well as its regional Mediterranean heritage.
The
domain also strives to respect the environment through all vineyard and
winemaking practices. Its wines are intended to be enjoyed with food and
are balanced, elegant and show a long finish.
KEY DATES
Project inspiration :
John Goelet has always been both a visionary and a traditionalist in his approach towards wine. As early as the 1970’s his vision lead him to search the world for the best possible “terroir”, and yet despite this innovation, he has always respected the traditional values of finesse and elegance – qualities that are shared by all great wines…
The Domaine de Nizas is the latest project for this American of French origin, who since 1972 has already created Clos du Val in the Napa Valley (California), Taltarni in Victoria (Australia) and Clover Hill in Tasmania, in his worldwide quest for quality. Convinced by the potential for quality in the Languedoc region for many years, John Goelet and his trusted advisor Bernard Portet (President of Clos du Val) searched and identified a handful of exceptional “terroirs” before deciding upon the Domaine de Nizas.
May 1998: John Goelet buys the property : 51 hectares of vines situated between Caux and Nizas in the Languedoc region of France.
1998-2000 : Restructuring work is undertaken in the vineyards, with the pulling out of 26 hectares, the replanting of 3 hectares per year on average and the re-trellising of the remaining 11 hectares of original vines. Vinifying and ageing of these first vintages was done in a rented winery in the nearby village of Lézignan la Cèbe.
October 2000 : Creation of the Domaine de Nizas labels, which feature two statues from the sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet from the 18th century.
January 2001 : Purchase of an air-conditioned building at Usclas d’Hérault. Renovation and refurbishing of the winery, barrel hall and warehouse are completed in time for the 2001 harvest.
September
2001 :
Domaine de
Nizas wines are launched on the American market by Clos du Val.
December 2001
:
The Domaine’s first vintage – AOC Coteaux du Languedoc 1998 receives
91/100 points in the Wine Spectator.
February 2003 : With the arrival of Arnaud Deville, the estate’s new manager – the wines are launched onto the French and European markets.
October 2003 : Two wines are selected to appear in the Guide Hachette 2004 – AOC Coteaux du Languedoc 2001 and the Vin de Pays de Caux – Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2002.
October 2004: First harvest of estate Petit Verdot completed, which is blended to add structure and complexity to the Mas Sallèles Vin de Pays d’Oc. The AOC Coteaux du Languedoc 2002 wins a gold medal at the Grand Concours Agricole de Paris, which is the highest recognition for a wine in France. Domaine de Nizas is now distributed in 15 countries in North America, Northern Europe and Asia.
July 2005: The Domaine de Nizas cellar door and offices are completely refurbished. The cellar door reopens to the public.
September 2007 : Domaine de Nizas is now a part of the Goelet Wine Estates, a global fine wine alliance coordinating the marketing, sales and distribution resources of five pioneering family owned and operated wine brands—Clos Du Val in the Napa Valley; Taltarni Vineyards in Victoria, Australia; Clover Hill and Lalla Gully in Tasmania, Australia and Domaine de Nizas in the Languedoc region of France. For more information visit www.goeletwineestates.com.
Arnaud DEVILLE, Managing Director of Domaine de Nizas is as well Sales and Marketing Manager for Europe for the others properties of the Group.