Brunnhilde Claux has worked at some of our favorite wineries — the Languedoc’s Domaine Gauby, Terroir al Limit in Priorat — so it’s no surprise that the wines she makes for her personal project, Notre Terre, are delicious and terroir transparent.

The Languedoc isn’t as monolithic as a quick glance at a map might lead you to believe. It’s a veritable treasure trove of old vines, which not only lend concentration and depth to a finished wine; old vines’ long roots plunge deep into the soil and are better able to withstand drought, crucial in this Mediterranean climate. The region has a patchwork of various soil types, elevations, and microclimates, all of which lead to wines with plenty of energy and tension — a perfect foil to the sun-ripened fruit flavors of Southern France.

Brunnhilde spends her days at Domaine de Courbissac, a biodynamic Minervois estate; since 2019 she has applied the same rigorous standards to a specially selected parcel of vines she reserves for Notre Terre, “our earth”. The vines are old, the farming is organic (with biodynamic practices incorporated), fermentations are natural, and everything is finished with a modicum of sulfur at bottling.

About the red wine, the New York Times’ Eric Asimov says, “a fresh grenache like this, resonant, energetic and refreshing, demonstrates what can be done with biodynamic farming and sensitive winemaking.” It’s exactly the kind of chillable red we want to drink all summer long, on its own or paired with burgers or sausages fresh off the grill — juicy, supple, and refreshing, while maintaining plenty of complexity.

The rosé is also mostly Grenache with a dash of Mourvèdre, pressed long and slow for a pale pink hue and the daintiest of red fruit flavors. With plenty of salinity, it’s an earthier, slightly more rustic iteration of Southern France’s more famous rosés in Provence. Gastronomic, lively, and super fresh.

Lastly, Notre Terre Orange is a field blend of Muscat, Marsanne, Grenache Gris, Carignan Blanc, Terret Gris, Picpoul, and others, some of which are 100+ years old. A brief, weeklong maceration brings a hint of structure and some fuzzy peach and apricot notes, as well as the pale orange color. With its juicy structure and gentle aromatics, you could call this a beginner’s orange wine. We love it with cheese, veggies, or shellfish.

The New York Times’ Eric Asimov has shown love for Notre Terre over the past few years, saying “Notre Terre is a project within the excellent Domaine de Courbissac in which Brunnhilde Claux, the vigneronne, uses a selection of the estate’s old vines.” We’re doing our part to spread the word about this wonderful project with nice discounts:

Notre Terre (Brunnhilde Claux), VdF Rose, 2025 $19.99

Notre Terre (Brunnhilde Claux), VdF Rouge, 2025 $22.99

Notre Terre (Brunnhilde Claux), VdF Orange, 2025 $27.99