Alexandra & Olivier
Mavit
Country: France
Region: ROUSSILLON (CORBIÈRES)
Appellation(s):
vin de france
Grapes:
Carignan, grenache, Mourvèdre, syrah, cinsault
Farming:
biodynamic, organic
Size :
3 hectares
Geology:
silt, sand, clay
Corbières is a region near the Franco-Catalan border known in recent decades for only rich, brawny high-octane reds, despite its wonderful native white varieties. Alexandra and Olivier’s wines are part of a group of excellent new winemakers reviving Corbières; their wines are elegant counter-weights, striking a wonderful balance between fruit and freshness.
We first met Olivier Mavit and his partner, Alexandra, amidst the bustle of the “Le Vin de Mes Amis” wine salon outside of Montpellier. Olivier looked more architect than winemaker in his circular, thick framed glasses, so it made sense when he told us that he’d been a printer for most of his career.
Mavit turned to winemaking in 2015 when he inherited about 10 hectares of vineyards - making the decision, at 40, to become an artisan-winemaker. He quotes Jacques Brel, the Belgian singer, who said that life deserves to make you dream and when you no longer dream, you have to move on.
And so, Mavit returned to the land that has been in his family for 150 years and to the values he deems essential - earth and mother nature. It makes sense, then, that he takes seriously his commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment so that the natural world which gives so much energy and pleasure can be upheld.
Olivier was joined by Alexandra in 2018; they farm in the biodynamic tradition. Having started their winemaking careers later in life, they consider themselves pragmatic observers of nature and their lands. This especially makes sense given the location of the vineyard in a small winemaking town called Roquefort-des-Corbières, located in the heart of the Parc Naturel du Narbonnais.
The Mavit’s wines are exceptional examples of their terroir and their style is defined by the balance between fruit and freshness.
