Domaine Danjou-Banessy lies at Espira, two or three kilometres from Rivesaltes. Until Benoît inherited the estate from his father a decade ago, it specialised entirely in fortified and rancio wines.
Sébastien, an English teacher by training, joined his brother at the domaine five years ago. Together they coax dry whites and reds from old vines of local varieties such as Carignan Gris.
These soils have never known chemical fertiliser. Their father and grandfather farmed organically long before anyone else thought to, and in the cellar the brothers keep their hand just as light.
Benoît and Sébastien are Catalans through and through, yet they count as friends every one of the growers who have come to the Roussillon from around the world in search of great wine. That blend of tradition and open-mindedness is exactly what you taste in the bottle.
Domaine Danjou-Banessy is located in Espira, a few kilometres from Rivesaltes, and specialized in fortified and Ranchy wines until Benoit inherited it from his father ten years ago.
Sebas Hen, a former English teacher who joined the Domaine five years ago, produces dry white and red wines from old vines of local grapes such as Carignan Gris.
The soil is free from chemical fertilizers. Their father and grandfather were organic before anyone else did. They also keep the cellar as natural as possible.
Benoit and Sebas Hen are Catalan, but they are friends with people from all over the world who come to Roussillon in search of great wines. Tradition and open-mindedness define the quality of their wine circle.