A woman sitting on a large wine barrel, smiling and holding a glass of wine. A man standing nearby, holding a glass of wine, in a winery setting.

Photo Credit: Camille Riviere Sellection

Ostal Levant | Louis + Charlotte Perot

Cahors, France

Ostal Levant is the family-owned winery of Louis and Charlotte Perot, located on the limestone plateau above the Lot River in the historic Cahors wine region of southwest France. Established in 2012 after the couple left careers in publishing and literature in Paris, the estate reflects their passion for organic farming, sustainable viticulture, and authentic, terroir-driven winemaking.

After studying oenology in Burgundy, Louis and Charlotte discovered an abandoned historic farm in Alary, which they carefully restored while planting vineyards and developing a thriving organic estate. Today, they cultivate varieties including Malbec, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Mauzac, and Loin de l'Œil across their home vineyard and several small parcels near Duravel and Prayssac.

The vineyards benefit from Cahors' distinctive limestone, clay, and sandy soils, producing wines with exceptional freshness, minerality, and balance. Low yields, meticulous vineyard management, and traditional farming methods are at the heart of the estate, supported by guidance from respected organic grower Simon Busser.

In the winery, Louis and Charlotte take a minimalist approach, fermenting many wines in stainless steel before ageing them in barrel within a naturally cool underground limestone cellar. This unique environment preserves purity, freshness, and structure while allowing each wine to express its vineyard origin.

Ostal Levant is best known for its elegant, mineral-driven Malbec, alongside a diverse range of thoughtfully crafted wines that capture the character and history of one of France's most celebrated wine regions.