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.
-
Chambers Street Wines (USA - New York): A highly regarded US retailer specializing in natural wines. They are a consistent source for Clos Fantine, often featuring multiple cuvées and vintages. They ship to many US states.
https://chambersstwines.com/blogs/articles/clos-fantine-faugeres-in-your-cup (Check their main shop for current stock)
MYSA Natural Wine (USA - Ships to most US states): An excellent online natural wine club and retailer that often carries Clos Fantine. They highlight the winery's organic practices and offer various cuvées.
https://mysa.wine/pages/producer-profile/clos-fantine (Check individual wine pages for availability)
Discovery Wines (USA - New York): Another prominent US natural wine retailer in NYC that consistently stocks Clos Fantine. They ship to many US states.
https://discoverywines.com/ (Use their search for "Clos Fantine")
Thirst Merchants (Canada): A Canadian natural wine online retailer that often carries Clos Fantine, including their "Cuvée Tradition Rouge" and "Lanterne Rouge." They ship within Canada (check provincial restrictions).
SipWines Shop (UK): A UK-based online natural wine retailer that regularly features Clos Fantine, including the Faugères Tradition. They ship within the UK and to some EU countries (verify their shipping policy).
Rye Fine Wines (UK): This UK independent wine merchant has listed Clos Fantine Faugères Tradition, noting its natural style. They ship within the UK.
More Natural Wine (EU - Ships to various EU countries): An EU-based online retailer specializing in natural wines. They list various Clos Fantine wines, including "Valcabrières Blanc" and "Cuvée Tradition." They ship across Europe.
Natural-Wines.com (France - Information & Retailer Links): This website provides detailed information about Clos Fantine and links to various French online shops that carry their wines. Many of these French shops offer EU-wide shipping.
WineYou (Italy - Ships within EU): An Italian online store that carries Clos Fantine, noting their organic and no-sulfur approach. They ship within Italy and likely to other EU countries.
Camille Rivière Selection (USA - Importer): This importer brings Clos Fantine wines into various US states (AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, LA, MD, ME, MI, NM, NC, OR, PR, SC, TX, VA, DC, WA). You would need to check with retailers they supply in your specific state.
https://www.camilleriviereselection.com/ (Look for "Languedoc" section)
Disco Liquids (USA - Louisiana Distributor): A natural wine distributor specifically in Louisiana that lists Clos Fantine.
Vivino (International - Lists availability from various merchants): A very useful platform for finding specific Clos Fantine wines and seeing where they are currently listed for sale by various online and brick-and-mortar retailers globally.