The Calmon family
The history of the domaine starts in Cruscades, a small village niched in between the Corbières hillsides.
1878
Vincent Calmon, the great-great-great-grandfather of Paul, bought the first vineyards in 1878. These include two of our most popular plots: La Serre, old vine Carignan, and Resplandy, old vine Grenache.
1910
In 1910 Francois-Pascal Calmon, Vincent’s son, added Les Clots to the production, which is to this day our best terroir (Syrah planted in ‘08).
His son Francois Calmon purchased the family’s original “Cave” in 1920.
1920
It is here where Francois, his two children Louis and Jeanne, and Louis’ son Pierre (Paul’s Uncle) made wine for 70 years. We still have this cave, but use it for a Museum and personal wine cellar at the moment. Our 2020 vintage celebrates 100 years of wine making in the family.
1980
Pierre Calmon, the fifth generation, Paul’s uncle, took over the family business, but his time was unfortunately cut short after a battle with cancer, he was 45 years old. With this family tragedy, the vines were rented out to another winemaker and the grapes were sent to the local cooperative, Celliers D’Orfee, with whom we still work today.
2006
Isabelle Calmon Refalo, Paul’s mother and Pierre’s only sister, had spent her career working as a pharmacist and raising three children. Little did the family know that her eyes were set elsewhere, back in Cruscades with the family vines. At the age of 47 she packed up her husband Jean-Yves and son Paul and started her second career as a viticulturiste. The three of them restored the family home and then the 10 hectares of vines, which needed some tender, loving care.
Jean-Yves, who kept his day job in Toulouse, put many kilometers on his car and spent weekends on the tractor to support his beloved wife in this new adventure. It was all hands on deck, and Paul watched his parents with admiration.
2020
It is with great respect to this family history that Paul and Sarah take on the next chapter and create Clos du Cers.