Courbis, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Courbis is a family-owned Northern Rhône estate spanning 35 hectares across Cornas and Saint-Joseph, where brothers Laurent and Dominique Courbis craft predominantly Syrah-based wines from steep, granite-rich hillside vineyards with vines up to 60 years old. Their winemaking balances traditional methods with careful modernization, emphasizing sustainable viticulture, meticulous sorting, and French oak aging to authentically express the distinctive character of each appellation's terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Courbis traces its winemaking roots to the 16th century in the Northern Rhône Valley. The estate has remained in family hands throughout its history, with the Courbis family maintaining continuous stewardship of the property for generations. Today, brothers Laurent and Dominique Courbis represent the latest generation to lead the domaine, having taken over operations from their father Maurice in the 1990s.
The brothers have established a clear division of responsibilities: Laurent manages the vineyards and viticulture, while Dominique oversees the winemaking and commercial aspects of the business. Under their leadership, the domaine has expanded its vineyard holdings and modernized its winemaking facilities while maintaining traditional practices central to the expression of their terroir.
The family's deep connection to the land is evident in their commitment to the Saint-Joseph and Cornas appellations, where they have systematically acquired and developed vineyard parcels on the steep granite slopes that define these Northern Rhône territories.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Courbis manages approximately 35 hectares of vineyards spread across the appellations of Saint-Joseph and Cornas in the Northern Rhône. Their holdings include several distinguished parcels in Saint-Joseph, including Les Royes, La Sensonne, and Chanson, as well as notable sites in Cornas such as Champelrose, La Sabarotte, and Les Eygats.
The vineyards are predominantly planted on steep, granite-based slopes with southern and southeastern exposures. These hillside sites feature decomposed granite soils mixed with clay and limestone, providing excellent drainage and heat retention. In Saint-Joseph, the vineyards rise to elevations between 150 and 300 meters above sea level, while the Cornas parcels are situated between 100 and 250 meters.
The domaine's plantings are dominated by Syrah for red wines, which accounts for approximately 75% of their production. The remaining 25% is dedicated to white varieties, primarily Marsanne with smaller amounts of Roussanne. Many of their vineyard parcels contain vines ranging from 15 to 60 years old, with some of the oldest plots in Cornas exceeding 50 years.
The Courbis portfolio includes single-vineyard expressions from both appellations, highlighting the distinct characteristics of each terroir. Their wines from Cornas typically display the appellation's characteristic power and structure, while their Saint-Joseph offerings tend toward elegance and aromatic complexity.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Courbis employs a balanced approach that respects traditional methods while incorporating modern techniques where beneficial. In the vineyards, they practice sustainable viticulture with careful canopy management and yield control to ensure optimal ripeness. Harvest is conducted by hand, with grapes sorted both in the vineyard and at the winery.
For red wine production, the domaine typically destems between 80-100% of the fruit depending on the vintage and specific cuvée. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with maceration periods lasting 2-3 weeks. The wines undergo malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barrels, with new oak usage varying from 15% for entry-level wines to 30-40% for their top cuvées. Aging typically ranges from 12 months for their standard bottlings to 18-24 months for their single-vineyard expressions.
White wines are pressed immediately after harvest and fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. The proportion of new oak is kept moderate to preserve freshness and varietal character. These wines generally age for 8-12 months before bottling.
The Courbis brothers maintain a non-interventionist philosophy in the cellar, focusing their efforts on meticulous vineyard work to produce fruit that requires minimal handling. Their approach emphasizes the expression of each vineyard's unique characteristics while maintaining consistency across vintages. The domaine bottles their wines with minimal filtration to preserve complexity and aging potential.