Château Combel-la-Serre is a family estate of 23 hectares on the Cournou plateaus at Saint-Vincent-Rive-d'Olt, at 300 metres altitude on the Causse. Property of the Ilbert family since 1901, the estate began an organic conversion in 2013 driven by Julien Ilbert and his father Jean-Pierre. The range features cuvées with poetic naming (Pur Fruit du Causse, Un Cerisier des Pierres et des Cochons, Au Cerisier, Cuvée Château) that reflect the terroir identity and the house style.
For general context, see our organic Cahors winemakers guide and Causse vs Valley.
Terroir and vineyard
23 hectares on the Cournou plateaus (Saint-Vincent-Rive-d'Olt), at 300 metres altitude. Free-draining Kimmeridgian limestone terroir, cool and ventilated climate, slow Malbec ripening — all favourable conditions for precise, mineral, cellaring wines.
Malbec dominates at ~90%, complemented by Merlot on blend cuvées, plus a few Vermentino plots for IGP white cuvées.
Note: Cournou is the same hamlet as Clos de Pougette (other neighbouring organic family estate). The plateau terroir is common, making it one of the most identifiable sub-terroirs of the Cadurcian Causse.
Ilbert family — organic conversion in the 4th generation
The vineyard has been in the Ilbert family since 1901. The organic conversion was started in 2013 by Julien Ilbert and his father Jean-Pierre, with a structured approach: reinforced plot selection, manual harvest on selection cuvées, ageing tailored to each cuvée's profile.
Today, the estate is run by Julien and his wife Sophie, who introduced the « Un Cerisier, des Pierres et des Cochons » and « Au Cerisier » cuvées — naming that evokes the biodiversity of the estate and a certain assumed humour.
Flagship cuvées
Pur Fruit du Causse
Organic entry-level cuvée of the estate. Malbec on Cournou's limestone plateau, oak-free or discreet oak ageing. Pure fruit, immediate accessibility, wine of pleasure.
Pairing: charcuterie, white meats, everyday cuisine. Cellaring 5–8 years.
Un Cerisier, des Pierres et des Cochons
Organic single-plot cuvée with evocative name — reference to the cherry tree (landscape), stones (limestone), and pigs (nearby biodiversity, or a nod to the neighbouring Clos de Pougette kunekune). Expression of the limestone plateau terroir, careful ageing.
Pairing: grilled red meats, light game, regional dishes. Cellaring 8–12 years.
Au Cerisier
High-end plot selection. Pure Malbec, long ageing, serious cellaring wine. Gastronomy cuvée for wine lovers seeking complexity.
Pairing: game, Quercy lamb, signature dishes. Cellaring 10–15 years. See game + Cahors pairing.
Cuvée Château
Classic cuvée aged in barrel. Structure and complexity of classic gastronomy, the through-line of the Ilbert family cuvées across previous generations.
Pairing: confit, roast magret, mature cheeses.
To note for the wine lover
- Privileged geographic position: Cournou is one of the most identifiable Causse terroirs. Comparing Combel-la-Serre and Clos de Pougette wines (other neighbouring organic family estate, same hamlet) is an excellent comparative tasting exercise to understand the terroir nuances.
- Organic conversion completed: with a start in 2013, the estate is today fully AB-certified. No Demeter biodynamics, but vineyard and cellar practices aligned with the Cadurcian new organic generation.
- IGP diversification: the estate also produces whites (Vermentino, rare in Quercy) and rosés in IGP Côtes du Lot — useful for wine lovers wanting to drink "the whole estate" across a meal with starter and main.
- Accessible style: Combel-la-Serre is one of the good entry doors to discover a serious Cadurcian organic without falling into the very polarising natural profile. Precise and technically controlled cuvées.
Public sources consulted
- Combel-la-Serre — Vinibee — consulted 2026-05-18
- Le Club Terroirs & Co — Combel-la-Serre — consulted 2026-05-18
- La Compagnie des Bonnes Bouteilles — Combel-la-Serre — consulted 2026-05-18
- Vin Bio Ardoneo — Combel-la-Serre — consulted 2026-05-18
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