Gascony, France 

A family-owned winery established in 1820, and located in the heartland of Gascony. Things began with Jean Dominique Laudet, a former spice merchant based in the French Antilles who decided to return home and begin producing Armagnac. The family continued Armagnac production until 1970, when Noël Laudet, former steward of Château Beychevelle decided to diversify and begin the production of dry white wines. In 2007, eighth generation Cyril Laudet took over from his grandfather. Together with his wife Julie they have given the winery a breath of fresh air by expanding its wine production and re-introducing small batch Armagnac production.

Currently in their first year of biodynamic conversion, Chateau Laballes vineyards are located on the unique sandy soils or Sables fauves of the Bas Armagnac. Along with the sandy clay-loam deposits, these soils are spiked with iron oxide giving the wines a lively minerality combined with the freshness from the Atlantic.

Their rosé is called Brume, named after the light haze that hovers over the vineyard in the morning. The wine aims for a similar levity. This is thirst-quenching rosé with flavours of pink grapefruit, hints of blackcurrant and a lovely minerally backbone.