Thomas Ayoun and Marie-Sophie Jullien might be the most experienced young winemaking couple in the Rhône. Marie-Sophie grew up at La Ferme Saint-Martin in Beaumes de Venise, working in the cellar and in the vineyards at this pioneering organic/regenerative agriculture estate. Thomas has been the cellar master at Château de la Font de Loup in Châteauneuf, Domaine des Garances in Beaumes de Venise, and later at La Ferme Saint-Martin. Their Domaine de la Combe au Mas is located in Thomas’ home town of Mormoiron, a village at the foot of Mont Ventoux, about 45 minutes east of Avignon. Comprised of 4 hectares from the Ayoun family and another four that are either rented or come from formerly abandoned vineyards, the domaine is completely organic and biodynamic. The district around Mormoiron is in a sort of meteorological “chute”, where cool air is funneled off Mont Ventoux, at once extending the growing season and providing a decided freshness to all the wines. The fruit is all hand-harvested and ferments on native yeast; elevage takes place entirely in 100+ year-old amphorae that the couple sourced from southern Spain.
