OUR CONCEPT Buy a share in a wine producing estate in the South of France for 600 euros. A well-known wine estate in the South of France is launching an innovative concept. Nestling in the heart of the magnificent Massif de la Clape, between Narbonne and the Mediterranean, the Domaine de la Ramade is directed by Jacques Ribourel who made a name for himself in the property market before deciding to become a winemaker about twenty years ago. Today he is offering others who are passionate about wine the chance to join him in his venture and become shareholders. To this end he is selling 2,000 shares in Vin d Initiés a business comprising 10 hectares of vineyards. This really original way of getting to know a vineyard enables you to follow the life of the grapes from harvest to vinification. By buying or gifting someone a share, the new winemakers, who could be as many as 2,000, will be getting much more than just wine they will have the chance to make a personal contribution to the development of the estate. Bottles will be reserved for them at an exclusive and attractive price. And they will be VIPs in what is after all their estate, where they can take part in special themed events throughout the year
THE ADVANTAGES Why become a shareholder? When you buy a share in the Domaine des Vin d Initiés, you benefit from a certain number of advantages as a shareholder. Economic: Your vineyard will have the use of the estate s winemaking facilities, buildings and agricultural machinery. You will be able to buy wine and the estate s wine tourism services at reduced prices. When you buy a share, the Domaine des Vin d Initiés agrees to put aside a minimum of 24 bottles for you at the beginning of the year. This long term investment allows you to pass a legacy on to your descendants. A zero-risk commitment: Shareholders can rest assured that the association Vin d Initiés will work in co-operation with the estate to take care of everything involved in looking after vines right up to the harvest and high-tech vinification process. The bottles are tracked as a guarantee of quality! You can ensure the quality of the grapes that will go into your wine for yourself because you will be able to take part in the harvest... The wines will be publicised, listed in wine guides and written about in the press and from the harvest of 2012 onwards they will be classed as organic. Other advantages: On top of all these advantages, shareholders can also come and visit the vineyards and the cellars whenever they like, and take part in all sorts of activities such as wine tastings, for example, all at special rates. You will receive regular quarterly news bulletins about the state of your vines and your wine. The bottles will have your name or the beneficiary s name on the label.
YOUR PROJECT Put yourself in a winemaker s shoes You are... a group of individuals, a company, a Works Council or perhaps a communications or events company You are looking for... an activity to do with wine, a one-off event or on a regular basis with accommodation provided by the winemaker. You enjoy... fun events... meeting wine growers who know their wines and can communicate their passion for the wines they produce. You appreciate... the notion of terroir, winemaking skills, a warm friendly atmosphere. As an individual You are one of the estate s VIPs and can come and see us when you wish for a guided tour and a wine tasting. You are invited to the estate, with a guest of your choosing, to experience the harvest and see the wine being made. Companies Are you looking for an unusual and personalised gift to help motivate your colleagues, encourage client loyalty, thank your partners...? Surprise them with a really unusual present that they will remember for a long time Special deals for Works Councils Are you looking for a personalised gift for your members? What better idea than to treat your members to a wine based activity?
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE People and equipment dedicated to quality State-of-the-art stainless steel vat for complete control of the vinification process. A well-known oenologist, Christian Lacassy. Trained in Bordeaux, Lacassy began by teaching the art of winemaking. But he then he returned to his native Languedoc where he has been working as a consultant and making some of the most prestigious wines for the last 15 years, particularly in the magnificent terroir of the Massif de la Clape A carefully controlled selection of grapes, now beginning to be grown organically, guarantee you wines of the highest quality with some exceptional vintages.
OUR PHILOSOPHY A unique and lasting experience Learn whilst relaxing...an unforgettable combination! We offer experienced wine buffs and novices alike a wide range of workshops and activities in collaboration with our partner wine producers, all at special rates for estate shareholders. Treat yourself! Contact us right away and choose the formula to suit you. The World of the Wine Grower at your fingertips Give in to the temptation to enter the fascinating world of the Wine Grower...From the history of winemaking to the day to day activities of growing grapes and producing wine, learn about this mysterious world; learn the art of tasting, see different cultural traditions, see how wine is made You will put your taste buds to good use as you learn to observe the colours and appreciate the aromas of the nectar of the Gods Immerse yourself in the world of wine... We will teach you all about the techniques and pleasures of wine tasting in a light-hearted way, enabling you to appreciate its manifold subtleties. Various options are available, from beginners classes to meetings with our winemakers.
OUR CHARTER The Vin d Initiés charter our 6 binding commitments To enable you to get the most out of Vin d Initiés, we have chosen winemakers who are genuine partners and who have chosen to invest in the project in the long or medium term. This is why the winemakers involved with Vin d Initiés have all voluntarily agreed to sign up unreservedly to the following charter. 1st Commitment Each winemaker puts great emphasis on developing the personality of his/her wines, strictly respecting their originality and diversity. 2nd Commitment Each winemaker undertakes to up-hold, value and pass on the Cultural and Historic Heritage of his/her estate, vineyard and savoir-faire. 3rd Commitment Each winemaker agrees to provide regular samples of his/her production for scrutiny by his/ her Vin d Initiés partner. 4th Commitment Each winemaker agrees to use all the means at his/her disposal to develop his/her passion for wine, keeping in mind his/her love of life and respect for others. 5th Commitment Each winemaker agrees to develop an artistic and cultural side to his/her estate which will be in harmony with his/her wine producing activities. 6th Commitment Each winemaker agrees to share the unique attributes of his/her wine in the most convivial conditions possible.
OUR PARTNER Le Domaine de la Ramade An island at the time of the Roman conquest, today La Clape is a magnificent steep rocky outcrop (Clape means pile of stones in Occitan), situated in the South of France, between Narbonne and the Mediterranean. Its land, the sea breezes which cool it down and the exceptional number of hours of sunshine which it enjoys make it the ideal spot for producing exceptional wines. The Domaine de la Ramade nestles in the heart of La Clape. Its 19th century vineyard was transformed and improved in 2007 by the Franco- German family of Kerstin and Jacques Ribourel. The grape varieties Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Bourboulenc and Vermentino produce wines of exceptional taste and bouquet. The conversion of the vineyard to organic farming practices will enable all your wines to carry the label Organic Agriculture. The winemaking practices employed are those of our ancestors, without the use of chemicals and artificial fertilisers. The bunches are harvested and sorted by hand so that only sound grapes are kept. The wines are matured in stainless steel vats and wooden barrels. This helps to soften the tannins which have characterised wine from the region for over 2,000 years and give the wine its wonderful nose. The label Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Languedoc - La Clape means that strict rules and regulations have to be adhered to during the growing and vinification processes, a guarantee of constant quality.
WINE AND MORE Our B&B and wine related activities Le Mas and its Guest Rooms Shareholders in Vin d Initiés can also spend their holidays in the Domaine de la Ramade. Relax amidst of the vineyards, olive trees and French-style vegetable garden in a farmhouse that the Franco-German Ribourel family have completely renovated, creating charming double or en-suite guest rooms. Nearby hiking trails criss-cross the steep rocky outcrop of La Clape. Situated between Narbonne and the Mediterranean Sea, La Ramade is only 15 minutes from the A9 motorway. Close by are Narbonne with its Roman museums, its art and history, its Gothic cathedral (one of the most impressive in Europe) and the canal du Midi which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A few minutes away by car is the Sigean African Safari Park with its hundreds of wild animals, the splendid mediaeval city of Carcasonne with its festival, the Museum of Prehistoric man at Tautavel, Perpignan and the Catalan Pyrenees etc. Wine Tasting Activities As well as enjoying a stay on the estate at La Ramade, Vin d Initiés shareholders can also enjoy various themed activities at reduced rates: a meeting with the winemaker and his oenologist Christian Lacassy, tastings of vintage wines, wine and food evenings, grape harvesting the way it used to be, local history and Roman remains, etc.
contacts To become a shareholder in Vin d Initiés, please contact us Vin d Inités: www.vindinities.com vindinitiesdelaramade@gmail.com Manager: Julie Fontanet Oenologist: Christian Lacassy Our partner: Domaine de La Ramade Estate owners: Kerstin and Jacques Ribourel Route de Narbonne-plage - 11110 Armissan - France +33(0)4 68 41 31 15 Press Officer: Sarah Hargreaves +33(0)6 13 61 17 84 / +33(0)4 67 54 70 03 sarah.presse@orange.fr