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Etienne SUZZONI

Clos Culombu

PDO Calvi Wines

Visits : Year-round / June-July-August open all day (9.30am - 7.30pm)

Regions : Balagna

Categories : Wine

Agricultural sectors : Corsican wines

Chemin San Petru
20260 Lumio
  04.95.60.70.68
  culombu.suzzoni@wanadoo.fr |   www.closculombu.fr

Back in 1973 Paul Suzzoni took a handful of uncultivated fields and turned them into the Domaine Culombu, with 22 hectares of PDO Calvi vineyards.

Sixteen years later, he handed over the reins to his younger brother Etienne, who was quick to realise the island's long-forgotten potential as a winemaking region. Etienne took on the vineyard operation with the aim of enhancing the value and image of local wine.

"Those were the first steps of our journey - every day was a challenge!" smiles this enthusiastic wine producer. Today, the Clos Culombu vineyard enjoys international repute; the gamble seems to have paid off, but Etienne still wants to take things further. Between 2010 and 2013, the estate's current 55 hectares of vines have been gradually introduced to various organic agricultural techniques. "We stopped using weed killers years ago. We think it's essential to preserve our countryside as much as possible." The next step is a new plantation of older grape varieties, as well as the development of biodynamics across the property. These new projects can be certain of passing into safe hands, with Paul-Antoine, Etienne's eldest son, ready to step in. As a way of further developing and enhancing their domain, since 2011 the Clos Culombu has hosted art exhibitions in collaboration with the local council. A treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds!