Abbaye Sylva Plana is an organic estate in the Languedoc region of France. Wines are made under the Côtes de Thongue and Faugères AOC denominations.

Owner: Guy Bouchard (SCEA Bouchard-Guy)

Background: What is now the estate once belonged to the Cistercian Abbaye de Sylvanes which is in the Aveyron. The latter was founded in 1139 on land donated by Lord Ermengaud de Fouzillon, and was farmed by monks.

The farm buildings at Abbaye Sylva Plana were destroyed during the Wars of Religion by the (Huguenot) Baron de Faugères, Claude de Narbonne (1534-1578), who also destroyed religious buildings in and around Béziers. In 1790 Abbaye Sylva Plana’s farm buildings were no longer mentioned as being part of the assets of the abbey itself.

The wine operation here was founded in 1998 in a partnership between two families who owned vineyards in Laurens. They are the Guy family who had already been settled in Laurens for many generations; and Nicolas and Henry Ferdinand Bouchard of Vignobles Bouchard. (Vignobles Bouchard also own Domaine Deshenrys which is not organic).

Staff: Responsible/Maitre de Chai: Nicolas Bouchard (04 67 24 91 67). Chef de Culture: Cedric Guy.

Vineyards: In the communes of Caussigniojouls and Laurens. Le terroir est exclusivement de schistes bleu et gréseux. 45ha of vines (2012), 39ha in production and 6ha of young vines: Carignan, Syrah, Roussanne, Clairette and Grenache Blanc.

Biodynamic practicess: Yes, I was told on 21st March 2017, with BD sans papiers on the vines for the ‘La Part du Diable’ bottling (below).

Organic certification: 2008 Conversion from 01st April. | 2011 First vintage with full organic certification.

Wines

Côtes de Thongue Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Faugères Blanc AOC, Le Blanc: From schist, clay-limestone and marble. 45% each Grenache Blanc & Roussanne, 10% Viognier. | 2013 4,000 bottles. Cement. Clean and fresh (Millésime Bio 2014).

Faugères Rosé AOC, Le Rosé: From schist, clay-limestone and marble. 80% Cinsault, 10% each Grenache Noir & Syrah.

Faugères Rouge AOC, Le Novice: From schist, clay-limestone & marble. Cinsault plus young vine Grenache Noir & Syrah. Hand picked.

Faugères Rouge AOC, La Closeraie de L’Abbaye: From schist, clay-limestone and marble. Grenache Noir and Syrah.

Faugères Rouge AOC, La Part du Diable: From the same (terraced) parcel each year which lies on schist. | 2008 Mainly Carignan, plus Syrah, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre. 3,300 bottles. Bit chalky with sweet black berries (Millésime Bio 2014).

Faugères Rouge AOC, Le Songe de l’Abbé: From the oldest vines. Schist, clay-limestone and marble. Syrah, Grenache Noir, Carignan and Mourvèdre. | 2011 50% Carignan, 30% Cinsault, 10% each GN and Mourvèdre. Fermented in cement, then to barrels. Smoky animal, thick and wild (Millésime Bio 2014).

Contact

Abbaye Sylva Plana

3 rue de Fraisse F-34290 Alignan-du-Vent Laurens (Hérault), France