Labadens is the story of two lifelong friends, Fanny and Thomas.
It all started in Toulouse, on the benches of agricultural engineering school, before they reunited 20 years later after having traveled extensively on their own paths.
Thomas is the prodigy: Born in Bordeaux, a consulting oenologist to the finest winemakers of the Rhône Valley, he was already crafting micro-cuvées and his own honey before embarking on this adventure.
Fanny is the adventurer: Born in Angers, she set off after her studies to master the craft across vineyards worldwide.
In Alsace, the Jura, Italy, Chile, and the United States, she honed her skills and crafted her first wines before working in distribution.
Upon her return, the two friends reunited around a shared dream: creating their own wines in the Rhône Valley—and Labadens was born!
The name refers to a play by Eugène Labiche in which the two protagonists meet at a banquet of the Labadens institution, to which they had both once belonged.
The project is driven by deeply held values:
They craft organic wine, practice ethical trade, and bring back forgotten grape varieties.
Their first cuvée bears the name Fanny, which utterly enchanted us (we mean the wine, of course! 😀)
This cuvée from the Ventoux AOP is pure pleasure, boasting lovely length and an atypical freshness. Here is why…
First, thanks to the presence of Carignan, which dominates the blend (alongside Grenache, king of the region), broadening the aromatic palette.
Next, the grapes come from old vines that are naturally less productive (yes, that applies to vines too 😉!), concentrating all the flavors.
And finally, the altitude on the foothills of the Giant of Provence cools down the warm local nights, allowing the berries to ripen at a slower, gentler pace.
All elevated by the talent of our two friends, yielding a wine in their image: generous and refined, far removed from the overly alcoholic, jammy wines sometimes found in the region.
They opted for spontaneous fermentation with no added yeasts (pure fruit!), aging in stainless steel vats to preserve the crisp freshness and authenticity of the primary aromas, and only apply light sulfiting at bottling.
If you love a red for aperitif time, this wine is made for you. If you appreciate lamb or creamy cheeses, it will also be exquisite!
It is delicious, crisp, and organic, so treat yourself!
“A glass of Fanny is good for your health; the rest of the bottle is good for the soul.” — A part-time Piqueur enthusiast
Are you sure?
It proved much harder for us to secure an allocation of the Vacqueyras.
Indeed, Thomas's expertise and the reputation of their two little gems are creating quite a stir in the region…
It was quite a challenge to obtain an allocation, as local sommeliers and wine merchants snap them right up.
We take pride in our perseverance, because these wines are delightfully luscious, and none of the ones we tasted in the meantime made us forget Marius and Thomas.
Marius, then… Following Fanny, the literary reference won't have escaped anyone 😉
Marius, a selection of the finest Grenache and young-vine Syrah, delivering an explosion of red berries, blackberries, and a delicate touch of spice on the finish.
And finally Thomas (let's set analogies aside, there is no reason Thomas shouldn't have his own cuvée 😉)
A true rarity… White wines represent only 4% of the appellation, and here, the ambition to restore Clairette to its former glory is a masterstroke!
This grape variety thrives wonderfully in these increasingly warm climates, ripening slowly to develop remarkably crisp aromas of white-fleshed fruit and white flowers.
Grenache Blanc and Viognier beautifully complement the blend.
Moreover, thoughtful winemaking brings a lovely tension, creating a refreshing and utterly delightful tasting experience.
Dedication, sheer talent, highly confidential cuvées… that is what Labadens is all about…
And we simply love it!
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