DOMAINE HORS CIEL
Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon | FRANCE
Founded in 2021 by Emma Olson and Victor Gourreau, Domaine Hors Ciel is the result of a cross-cultural partnership between an American and a native of Montouliers in the south of France. The project began humbly, in a tiny, off-grid cellar, with a bold vision: to craft uncompromisingly pure wines using spontaneous fermentations, no temperature control, no additives, and as little intervention as possible.
Starting with just 3 hectares, Emma and Victor have since expanded to 6 hectares of organically farmed vines rooted in limestone, sandstone, and clay soils across Montouliers and the plateau of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois. Their focus is on single-variety wines that reflect the nuance of site and soil. Mourvèdre planted on the limestone-rich slopes of "les combes de Cruzy" shows particular promise, while dry-fermented Muscat Petit Grain from the blindingly white, high-altitude terroir of Saint-Jean carries a distinct salinity and verticality.
In the cellar, stainless steel dominates, complemented by old oak barrels for orange wines and age-worthy Mourvèdre. Whites are fermented almost under seal, encouraging slow ferments that heighten minerality and depth. Cinsault, Syrah, and all three colours of Terret round out the domaine’s thoughtful, expressive range.
Emma and Victor remain committed to their original ethos—wines of clarity, precision, and soul, shaped by nature, not by intervention.
An electric expression of old-vine Muscat from the limestone plateau of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois. The result is quietly aromatic—never overblown—with fine salinity, gentle floral lift, and a mineral spine drawn straight from the chalky bedrock. Aged for seven months, it's a wine of subtle tension and clarity, showing the variety and the terroir in perfect harmony.
Winemaker | Emma Olson and Victor Gourreau
Region | Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Muscat Petit Grain
Viticulture | Organic
Soil | limestone
Altitude | 350 - 500 m
Age of the vines | 80 years
Bottles made | 900 bottles
Vinification
FLWR is 100% Muscat Petit Grain from 80-year-old vines on the northeast-facing slope of the plateau, macerated for three days as whole bunches. Fermentation finishes in old demi-muids, followed by a 7-month élevage. Bottled without fining, filtration or the additions of sulphur.
This 100% Mourvèdre rosé from Domaine Hors Ciel is bright and inviting, with an aromatic nose bursting with redcurrant and fresh strawberry. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and textured, showing a satisfying depth and a subtle savoury structure from five months’ ageing on Muscat Petit Grain lees. Juicy and vibrant yet rounded, it delivers pure, mouthwatering pleasure—simply delicious.
Winemaker | Emma Olson and Victor Gourreau
Region | Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | 99% Mourvèdre 1% Muscat Petit Grain
Viticulture | Organic
Soil | limestone
Altitude | 400 m
Age of the vines | 80 years
Bottles made | 1600 bottles
Vinification
Rosé La Chaise is made from 100% Mourvèdre and aged for five months on the lees of Muscat Petit Grain, which adds texture and complexity. The wine is crafted with minimal intervention to preserve freshness and expression, showcasing a careful balance between traditional techniques and the natural character of the vineyard.
Ça ira bursts with dark, juicy fruit—think ripe blackcurrant and wild blackberry—wrapped in notes of cracked black pepper, dried thyme, and a subtle, savoury hint of cultured butter. The palate is fresh and mouthwatering, with fine, chalky tannins and a lifted spice that gives the wine both charm and tension. It’s a Syrah that balances vibrancy with depth, offering a textured, aromatic finish that lingers with herbal and mineral nuance.
Winemaker | Emma Olson and Victor Gourreau
Region | Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Syrah
Viticulture | Organic
Soil | limestone
Altitude | 400 m
Age of the vines | 80 years
Bottles made | 1900 bottles
Vinification
Ça ira 2024 is made from old-vine Syrah grown at nearly 400 metres on limestone-rich soils. The winemaking blends 80% traditional maceration with 20% direct press, creating a balance between structure and freshness. Fermentation is spontaneous, with no additives and minimal intervention, allowing the character of the vineyard to shine through. The result is a wine that’s both vibrant and savoury, with a natural clarity and purity that reflect Hors Ciel’s thoughtful, low-intervention approach.
Drift and Caresse is a smooth and vibrant Cinsault that offers a delicate yet juicy profile of wild strawberries, redcurrants, and crushed rose petals, lifted by a whisper of citrus zest and a gentle herbal edge. The limestone soils lend a subtle saline finish and soft mineral tension, while the texture is round and silky, making it both playful and refreshingly easy to drink.
Winemaker | Emma Olson and Victor Gourreau
Region | Minervois, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Variety | Cinsault
Viticulture | Organic
Soil | limestone
Altitude | 350 - 500 m
Age of the vines | 80 years
Bottles made | 2400 bottles
Vinification
This Cinsault is a blend of the 2023 and 2024 vintages, crafted from 80-year-old vines grown on high-altitude limestone soils, using a blend of direct press, carbonic maceration, and short skin contact to capture both freshness and aromatic nuance. The juice was aged for 12 months in the cellar, allowing the wine to settle naturally and gain subtle roundness without losing its vibrant, fruit-forward character. A gentle, low-intervention approach from start to finish, true to Hors Ciel’s signature style.