Domaine de Vaccelli sits in the south of Corsica, in the Taravu Valley between Ajaccio and Propriano. The estate was founded in the 1960s by the Courrèges family following Algeria’s declaration of independence. The experienced winemakers, who previously owned an estate in Médéa, south-west of Algiers, planted new vines and uprooted the old ones.
Today, the estate stretches over some 20 hectares, fairly evenly divided between red and white grape varieties. Vines include Sciaccarello, Carcaghjolu Neru, Minustellu, Grenache Noir, Vermentino and several white varieties. In other words, a savvy blend of local grape varieties, complemented by Grenache Noir. The vines average 30 years and are hand-harvested. The estate was certified organic in 2019.
Today, the estate is still family-run and managed by Nathalie and Gérard Courrèges, with the latter also being the cellar master. In addition, Emmanuel Gagnepain is their appointed oenologist. The estate’s underground cellar, which dates back to 1990, provides excellent storage and ageing conditions for the vintages, some of which are aged in oak casks.

The Granit cuvée, as its name suggests, is a white wine from the Ajaccio appellation that comes from a slope composed of granite. From organic agriculture, it was matured in egg-shaped vats and demi-muids in order to let the Vermentinu grape express its depth and complexity.
In the glass this is a pale yellow cuvée with a hint of gold to it. It exudes aromas of white fruit such as ripe pear as well as white flowers, rounded off with a touch of almond and a light minerality. This olfactory indulgence carries through to the palate with a certain richness that brings intense notes of citrus and fleshy fruit. Particularly persistent, this wine has good ageing potential.
We recommend savouring it within its first ten years and opening it at least two hours before serving. It will pair well with delicate dishes like scallops or a tagine with candied citrus.