After five years of frustration from seeing his organically grown grapes blended in with large, conventional crops at the local cooperative, Valentin Ltoquart decided to set out on his own. In 2013 Val de Combres was born. Valentin farms 7ha in Luberon, Southern Rhone, applying biodynamic and organic principles. He ferments in concrete vats and ages in large, old French barrels, to maintain the purity of flavours from his grapes. He focuses on local varieties, namely Grenache, Syrah, Carignan for reds and ross, and Roussanne and Gros Vert for whites.

Les Vacances is the kind of red you want to pull straight from the fridge and guzzle down in the glass. Made from lightly macerated Grenache, is has cranberry juice and spice all wrapped up in a bottle of fun times.