Domaine de Saliès is within walking distance of our founder’s home! The young winemaker, Benoit Gombert, and his father, Xavier, are part of an incredible winemaking culture that extends all the way back to 79 CE when Mount Vesuvius erupted and Roman winemakers resettled in the Languedoc. One such winemaker built Villa Celiano and began producing wines that shipped all over the Roman Empire. In the 18th century, Château de Saliès was constructed on the grounds of Villa Celiano. The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) led medieval pilgrims directly through the property. Five years ago, Xavier passed on the role of head winemaker to Benoit, who is in his mid-thirties. According to Xavier, his own wines were “rustic,” while Benoit's are “elegant and fine."