From a plateau backed by pine woods above the village of Beaumes-de-Venise, Domaine de Durban looks out over vineyards that the philosopher Pliny the Elder is said to have praised.
Backstory
The site's history reaches back to the twelfth century, when it was a fortified farm. Jacques Leydier bought the property in 1967, when the farm had fallen into disrepair and held only 13 hectares of vines, 9 of red Grenache and 4 of Muscat. Today his grandsons Henri and Philippe run the estate.
The Region
The domaine sits on a hillside plateau above Beaumes-de-Venise in the southern Rhone, with a panoramic view over its own vineyards.
Vineyards & Farming
The Leydiers farm 55 hectares of vines. Henri manages the cellar and administration while his brother Philippe runs the vineyards.
The Wines
The estate makes a powerful, aromatic Gigondas, a velvety Beaumes-de-Venise Rouge, and above all the Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise that is the most celebrated example in the appellation.
