Jeanne Delaunay, recently appointed General Manager and Winemaker of terroir-driven winery, Abbotts & Delaunay, spotted an opportunity for growth as export volumes of AOP Languedoc to the UK surged by 25% in 2024 *. This, combined with her deep-rooted belief in the potential of the Languedoc region and her 6th generation Burgundian winemaker heritage, inspired her to create a new range of AOP Languedoc wines at the heart of her strategic redirection for the winery’s future.
Two of the new wines, the Abbotts & Delaunay AOP Languedoc Blanc 2024, a blend of Grenache Blanc and Vermentino and the Abbotts & Delaunay AOP Languedoc Red 2024, a blend of Grenache Noir and Syrah, launched this month at Majestic. The 2023 vintage of the red, Jeanne’s first vintage since joining the family business, notched up 95 points and a gold medal at the IWC, cementing her place, along with her recent recognition by Bettane & Desseauve *, as one of the Languedoc’s hottest new winemaking talents.
As well as her Burgundian roots, Jeanne trained at Domaine de la Romanée – Conti amongst other top estates in the region, and she draws on these regional traditions and experience to create her new vision for the wines at Abbotts & Delaunay. Blending refined, terroir-driven wines that combine freshness, precision, and elegance with the incredible potential and exceptional terroirs of the Languedoc. Her innovative approach is encapsulated in these new AOP Languedoc wines.
As well as showcasing two complementary wine cultures in all of her creations, Jeanne ensures that her strong commitment to sustainability and responsible practices are exemplified at every step of production, including biodiversity, living soils and lightweight bottles. For the new AOP Languedoc wines this even includes the use of natural pigment inks like chlorophyl for the label designs, which portray the geography of the Languedoc region.
As well as the sizeable growth in export volumes of AOP Languedoc wines in 2024 *, the UK is also the second largest market for the appellation. This, when combined with the rare creative freedom of AOP Languedoc with 18 permitted grape varieties, and its embodiment of both a region and an appellation, anchoring the wines in their terroir while offering consumers a clear, accessible concept, confirmed Jeanne’s belief that AOP Languedoc was the way forward for the region.
Jeanne says, “Building on the work my father has done since buying Abbotts & Delaunay in 2005 and the passion that he has passed down to me, my aim for Abbotts & Delaunay is to craft contemporary, elegant Languedoc wines sourced from characterful terroirs that reveal their place of origin and express themselves in perfect balance between Mediterranean generosity and the freshness and precision of Burgundy, always with sustainability at their heart.”
She continues, “Like him, I firmly believe that there is still huge potential in the Languedoc region, and with these two new wines we’re not only investing in the future of the Languedoc region by focusing on AOP Languedoc, but also providing consumers with the style of wines that they want to enjoy now from this beautiful, dynamic and diverse region.”
The new Abbotts & Delaunay AOP Languedoc wines are now available from Majestic RRP £13/bottle or £10/mix six.
* source CIVL
* In their 2026 guide, Bettane + Desseauve have recognised Jeanne Delaunay among its Talents of the Year, celebrating her ability to draw on her Burgundian roots to elevate Languedoc’s terroirs and to affirm a new vision: that of a Languedoc defined by precision, finesse, and emotion.