Le Chai Volant — Fatim Sabri — Roussillon

Le Chai Volant (The Flying Cellar) is the project of Fatim Sabri, a passionate and dedicated natural winemaker in the Roussillon region. The name perfectly encapsulates her philosophy: a free-spirited, non-traditional approach to winemaking. Her journey has led her to an ancient, traditional winemaking village at 700 meters of altitude, where she is reviving old traditions with a fresh, modern perspective.

A Philosophy of Tradition and Purity

Fatim's winemaking is a blend of old-world wisdom and modern natural techniques. Her philosophy is to let the unique terroir and the grapes speak for themselves, without any interference.

  • Reconnecting with the Past: By setting up her cellar in a traditional winemaking village in the mountains, she is consciously reconnecting with the historical winemaking practices of the region.

  • Organic & Biodynamic: The vineyards she works with are farmed organically and biodynamically, with a focus on creating a healthy, living ecosystem. She uses plant-based extracts for treating the vines and limits soil work.

  • No Additives: A key pillar of her work is the complete absence of additives or inputs, including sulfur dioxide (SO2​), filtration, or fining. The wines are pure, alive, and unfiltered.

The Vineyards and Terroir

Le Chai Volant's vineyards are a testament to the diverse and challenging terroir of the Roussillon. She cultivates a small area of just 3.5 hectares across two communes.

  • Location: Fourques and Trouillas in the Aspres region of the Roussillon, and her cellar is located in the village of Boule d'Amont.

  • Terroir: The soils are primarily clay-limestone with a mix of pebbles and sand. The vineyards are shaped by the Tramontane wind, sea breezes, and Spanish mists, all of which contribute to the unique character of the grapes.

  • Grape Varieties: She works with traditional Mediterranean grape varieties, including old-vine Carignan, Syrah, Grenache (white and gris), Macabeu, and Muscat.

  • Old Vines: Many of her vines are old, some of them are "complantés" (co-planted) with different varieties in the same plot. These old vines naturally yield low quantities, resulting in concentrated and complex grapes.

Winemaking and Process

Fatim's winemaking is as hands-on as her viticulture. She works out of a cellar in an old, traditional farm building, which helps her to maintain a low-tech, gravity-fed approach.

  • Harvest: All grapes are meticulously hand-harvested.

  • Vinification: She uses whole clusters and native yeasts for fermentation. Depending on the wine, she may use amphorae or other vessels for fermentation and aging.

  • Aging & Bottling: The wines are aged to allow them to stabilize naturally. They are bottled unfined and unfiltered, ensuring that all of the character and life of the wine are preserved.

Signature Wines to Discover

Le Chai Volant's wines are known for their vibrancy, minerality, and depth, often with creative and poetic names.

  • Lèvre Voile – A white wine (often a skin-contact wine) made from Grenache Blanc and Grenache Gris, known for its structure, power, and freshness.

  • Syrah de Coeur – A pure Syrah from old vines, often with a delicate and elegant profile.

  • Carry Carry – A Carignan cuvée that showcases the bright fruit and rustic charm of the grape.

  • Hanah – A distinctive cuvée that reflects the purity of the Roussillon terroir.

  • Par faim' Florale – A powerful and aromatic Muscat d'Alexandrie.

Visit & Connect

Le Chai Volant is a small-scale, personal project, and visits are by appointment only.

  • Cellar Address: The cellar is located in Boule d'Amont. For specific directions or to arrange a visit, it's best to contact Fatim directly.