After searching for years in the south of France, the owners of Quinta do Noval and Chateau Pichon-Baron finally came upon what they were looking for: tucked in the heart of the hillsides overlooking the valley of the Peyne river, a site with the terroir to produce outstanding wines. Since 2002, the historic vineyards and cellars at Mas Belles Eaux have been slowly rehabilitated, and the is producing wines with tremendously pure fruit, great complexity, and beautiful balance. The old at the estate dates to the 17th century, and the barrel cellar to the end of the 16th century. The estate owes its name to the numerous freshwater springs on the property. These springs run down to the Peyne river, and play an important effect on the climate and environment of Mas Belles Eaux.
The Mas Belles Eaux wines come from two vineyards at the estate: the Mas Belles Eaux vineyard, which is planted to Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and old Carignan on mid-slope alluvial terraces made of gritty clay; and the Sainte Helene vineyard, which is also planted to Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and old Carignan, but on argilo-calcareous terraces with villafranchien gravel. These two vineyards stretch over 200 acres of sun-blessed hillsides that are bathed in light and benefit from variations in topsoils and subsoils, and have fantastic natural drainage. In addition, winds come down the slopes, drying and cooling the grapes. After just two vintages, the wines being produced at the Mas Belles Eaux estate are already considered some of the finest in the appellation.
