Foncalieu buys Chateau Haut-Gleon

Southern French co-operative union Les Vignobles Foncalieu has acquired well-regarded Corbieres estate Chateau Haut-Gleon for an undisclosed sum.

Haut-Gléon: develop ‘for tourism’

Château Haut-Gléon, which has 40ha of mostly north-facing vines in a 260ha estate, has been run by the Duhamel family since 1991, and produces a range of red, white and rosé wines from traditional Languedoc varieties.

The estate at Villesèque-les-Corbières is located in the Vallée du Paradis, in Durban, one of the 11 terroirs of the Corbières appellation, and produces wines under the Château Haut-Gléon, Domaine de Haut-Gléon and Château Glénum labels.

The 17th century castle on the estate was restored by the Duhamels 20 years ago – something which Foncalieu is keen to develop.

Describing Haut-Gléon as ‘one of the most iconic winemaking estates’ in Corbières, Foncalieu said the estate would be ideal for entertaining clients, adding: ‘The château is equipped with a vault and various reception rooms and guest rooms; the plan is to develop the estate as a wine tourism destination.

‘Foncalieu president Michel Bataille and his team are wholeheartedly committed to maintaining the quality commitments pioneered by the Duhamel family.’

Founded in 1967, Foncalieu became a union of co-operatives in 1992 and covers 7,000ha of vineyards and 1,200 producers across the Languedoc and into Côtes-du-Rhône and Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, producing 20m bottles a year.

The acquisition of Haut-Gléon is part of the union’s plans to expand further into the luxury wine sector.

Written by Richard Woodard