Clos Fantine — Natural Wines from the Heart of Faugères

Clos Fantine is a family-run biodynamic estate nestled in the Faugères appellation of Languedoc, Southern France. Led by siblings Carole, Olivier, and Corine Andrieu, the estate honors a legacy rooted in deep respect for nature and authentic terroir expression.

A Legacy of Natural Winemaking

Founded by their father Jacques Andrieu, a pioneer of organic and biodynamic viticulture, Clos Fantine has embraced minimal intervention winemaking since the early 2000s. By 2003, the siblings committed fully to natural methods—eliminating sulfites, chemical treatments, and relying solely on native yeasts.

Sustainable Vineyards

Spanning 30 hectares, the vineyards have been chemical-free for over 50 years. Sheep graze between the vines, replacing plowing and encouraging biodiversity. Between 2011 and 2018, the estate pushed natural farming boundaries further by experimenting without Bordeaux mixture.

Winemaking Philosophy

Clos Fantine blends tradition with innovation:

  • Grapes are grown with dry farming and trained using the traditional gobelet (bush vine) method to protect from the intense sun and promote airflow.

  • Fermentations occur spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats—no new wood barrels are used.

  • Wines are aged reductively in closed vats without racking, unfined, unfiltered, and completely free from added sulfur.

The Wines

Clos Fantine produces powerful yet elegant wines that truly reflect the rugged beauty of Faugères. Using primarily old-vine indigenous grapes like Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault for reds, and Terret Blanc for whites, their wines offer:

  • Concentrated dark fruit and garrigue aromas

  • Firm tannins that soften with age

  • A fresh vibrancy that balances their full body

Often described as “wild” or “savage,” these wines demand patience but reward with pure, vibrant character prized by natural wine lovers worldwide.

 

Where to Find Clos Fantine Wines

Online Retailers (Global & EU Focus)

Wine-Searcher.com **Your primary resource for global availability.** Search for "Clos Fantine" to find merchants listing their wines and compare prices. Be aware that stock is often limited due to high demand.
MORE Natural Wine (Online, Europe) A prominent online retailer specializing in natural wines, frequently stocking various Clos Fantine cuvées.
Lieu-Dit (Online, Denmark/Europe) A Danish online shop for natural wines that often carries Clos Fantine.
Les Grands Vins Du Terroir (Online, France) A French online retailer with a selection of Clos Fantine wines, including their "Tradition" and "Cuvée Courtiol."
Petites Caves (Online, France) A French natural wine specialist that sometimes features unique Clos Fantine releases, such as their "Fantasque de Fantine" Pet Nat.
**Specialized Natural Wine Shops Online:** Due to their iconic status in the natural wine movement, many online retailers globally focusing on minimal-intervention and no-sulfur wines are excellent places to find Clos Fantine.

International Retailers & Distributors (Examples by Region)

  • **France (Languedoc-Roussillon & Beyond):**
    • **Winery Direct Sales & Visits:** Clos Fantine does not have an official direct sales website, but they are located in Cabrerolles, Faugères. Visiting the domaine is possible by appointment; check natural wine guides or reach out through their importers for contact.
    • **Specialized Wine Shops (Cavistes) & Restaurants:** Highly sought after in natural wine-focused shops, wine bars, and authentic bistros across France, especially in the Languedoc and major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.
  • **United States:**
    • **Camille Rivière Selection:** A key importer for Clos Fantine in many US states. Check their website (camilleriviereselection.com) for distributors in states they cover (e.g., CA, NY, IL, TX). You can often find specific retailers through their distributor networks.
    • **Fruit of the Vines Inc. (NY):** Another importer that has brought Clos Fantine to the US market.
    • **Wine Solutions (Online US):** An online retailer in the US that lists Clos Fantine, for example, their "Cuvée Tradition" (winesolutions.com).
    • **Yiannis Wine Shop (VA):** A US retailer that frequently carries Clos Fantine wines (yianniswineshop.com).
    • **Specialty Natural Wine Retailers:** Found in leading independent wine shops in major metropolitan areas (e.g., New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Austin) that specialize in artisanal French wines and natural selections. Check Wine-Searcher for specific local retailers.
  • **United Kingdom:**
    • **Buon Vino:** A leading UK natural wine retailer that consistently stocks Clos Fantine (buonvino.co.uk).
    • **Highbury Vintners:** A UK wine merchant that carries Clos Fantine wines (highburyvintners.co.uk).
    • **Sip Wines Shop:** A UK online natural wine retailer that offers Clos Fantine (sipwines.shop).
    • **Independent Natural Wine Merchants & Wine Bars:** Widely available in the UK's natural wine scene, particularly in London.
  • **Germany:**
    • **Maluni Weine:** A German online shop specializing in natural wines that often lists Clos Fantine.
    • **IDealwine (Germany - Retail):** While primarily an auction site, they also have a retail arm that can offer Clos Fantine wines and ship from France (idealwine.com/en/search/Clos+Fantine).
    • *Look for specialized natural wine shops or online platforms that import low-intervention French wines.*
  • **Denmark:**
    • **Lieu-Dit:** As mentioned above, a key source for Clos Fantine in Denmark.
  • **Canada:**
    • *Availability in Canada will depend on provincial liquor board listings (e.g., LCBO in Ontario, SAQ in Quebec) or specialized private importers focusing on high-quality natural wines. Inquire directly with specialized wine shops.*