PRESS KIT 2015

Contact Press : Jana KRAVITZ-PLISSONNEAU - Phone: +33(0)6 729 891 54 - vinanimus@yahoo.fr

w w w . a l m a c e r s i u s . c o m

LOCATION

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!  3 km from the Vias Airport

!  10 km from Béziers A9/A74, Béziers center exit

!  15 km from Cap d’Agde

LOCATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Location A Bit of History Birth of Alma Cersius 2014 Harvest 2014 Production Alma Cersius Team Soul of Our Winemakers Our Premium Brands ANNEX - Technical Sheets - Photo Gallery

A BIT OF HISTORY

Pays d’Oc IGP, Coteaux du Libron, Côteaux de Béziers … We Took Control Of Our Destiny

The history of the winemakers of Cers, Portiragnes & Villeneuve les Béziers is consistent with the rise and the structural development of Languedoc wines. Key Dates: 1937 - Creation of the Cers Cooperative 1995 - Winemakers in Portiragnes and Cers decide to unite 2008 - Villeneuve les Béziers joins the Cooperative of Cers & Portiragnes The vineyards in three villages total 1,200 hectares and represent 167 winemakers. The Cooperative of Cers, Portiragnes & Villeneuve les Béziers focused its efforts on work in the vineyard and on the performance of technical winemaking tools. The best quality wine grape varieties were vinified and distributed on upscale bulk markets. The cooperative was discreet, hardworking and demanding on the quality of its wines. The Turning Point... In 2008, the Languedoc wine region was in crisis. That is when Guillaume Bonzoms, already at the head of the Cooperative of Cers & Portiragnes since 2005, took over the newly formed Cooperative of Cers, Portiragnes & Villeneuve les Béziers. The members of the cooperative took their destiny in hand and implemented a strategy of production and distribution in bottles. To initiate the process , the management team launched a major market study with the goal of creating an iconic brand that would meet the expectations of distribution professionals and consumers. The first range of varietal wines from the cooperative was born: the CODE range.

TODAY

We Know How To Respect The Terroir, Reveal Its Expression, & Tell Its Story, Truthfully and Imaginatively

Beginning in 2008, the winemakers of Cers, Portiragnes & Villeneuve les Béziers launched a series of premium brands. After the Code range came a range of varietal wines: “After Be For” followed by “In Vino Erotico” in IGP Côteaux du Libron in white and red; the Trilogy in rosé “Les Pieds dans l’Eau” (Feet in the Water), white “Les Yeux dans les Etoiles” (Eyes in the Stars) and red “La Tête Ailleurs” (Head in the Clouds). In 2014, the cooperative was producing 2 million bottles, of which 80% was exported.

At this point, repositioning the name and communication became a necessity.

In May 2014, the Cooperative of Cers, Portiragnes & Villeneuve le Béziers became: ALMA CERSIUS - Vignerons entre Terres et Ciel (Winemakers Between Heaven & Earth)

A double name with Latin roots that is anchored, reassuring, multicultural and enduring. Alma means soul, the expression of a nurturing entity (Alma Mater). Cersius refers to Cers, the Roman Wind God that nourishes the harvest and blows across the lands of the three villages of Cers, Portiragnes and Villeneuve les Béziers in the Hérault. “ALMA CERSIUS, Vignerons entre Terres et Ciel,” underlies the very essence of the word terroir: The alliance of earth and soil and an ideal climate created by fruitful winds

2014 HARVEST

The Smallest Harvest In Volume Since 2008 But An Excellent Vintage

After a unique 2013 vintage, we return to a very Mediterranean vintage. A hot summer accompanied by some localized thunderstorms, but with a water deficit characteristic of our region.

For the month of September, we were lucky to be spared the rain storms that unfortunately were catastrophic in other areas of the Hérault. Today we produced our smallest harvest since the unification of our three cooperatives. Our production is approximately 62,000 hectoliters, 28% less than the 2013 vintage. The low yield combined with a very hot month of September gave us a harvest with rapid maturation. The harvest began on August 21, and ended on September 25, and was the shortest harvest in the past eight years. As every year we made our parcel selections. This allowed us to be as accurate as possible in producing each of the different varietal wines. Whites The high heat in August and the beginning of September pushed us to be vigilant to preserve thiol aromas.

Rosés Following a low harvest characterized by smaller grapes, an additional selection on the plots was necessary to properly separate each grape variety by color and pale pulp.

Reds Thanks to a Cordon de Royat pruning for our premium reds, these parcels turned out to be the least affected by drought. Due to the exceptionally low yield, the reds are very promising, with ripe tannins, a beautiful color and great concentration.

Guillaume Bonzoms

167 Winemakers - 1,200 Hectares - 70,000 Hectoliters - 2 Million Bottles

2014 PRODUCTION

Sauvignon 259 968 hl (4.04%)

Chardonnay 9120 574 hl (14.19%)

Viognier 2062 984 hl (3.21%)

Oher Whites 5332 0945 hl (8.30%)

Carrignan 5 812 82 hl (9%

Merlot 10591 94 hl (16%)

Cabernet 8350 539 hl (13%)

Syrah 5999 48 hl (9%)

Grenache 4248 67 hl (7%)

Other Reds 159 2123 hl (25%

The Whites The Rosés The Reds CLASSICS VARIETIES « After Be For » Range PREMIUMS VARIETIES « Code » Range & « Guillaume Aurele » Range PREMIUMS BLENDS SUPER PREMIUM BLENDS

Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier

« Les Yeux dans les Etoiles »

Sauvignon blanc Chardonnay Viognier

« In Vino Erotico » « Cersius »

Grenache Cinsault

« Les Pieds dans l’Eau »

Grenache Syrah

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah

Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah

« La Tête ailleurs… » « In Vino Erotico » « Cersius » « Secret Rouge »

« Terra Patres »

TEAM Marc ROBERT - Vigneron and President of Alma Cersius since 2012 Marc Robert has always been passionate about the wine industry and his region. He did a BTS degree in viticulture-enology before devoting himself to the family vineyard. His career began while the Languedoc wine region was in crisis. However Marc had the conviction that his region had all the qualities needed to become recognized for quality as long as the will and commitment were there. A former rugby player and now a marathon runner, Marc appreciates the sense of determination and the taste of effort. Marc is also an epicurian at heart: often behind the stove as well as presiding over a good table, he believes that today the wines of Alma Cersius need to be luscious, accessible and a source of sharing... wines to be remembered, with eyes in the stars! A committed man: Vice President of the Young Farmers of the Hérault - Active member of the Chamber of Agriculture of the Hérault - President of the local branch of Crédit Agricole

Guillaume BONZOMS - Director of Alma Cersius Son and grandson of winemakers in Catalonia, Guillaume grew up among the fruit trees and vineyards of the family farm. At his grandfather’s side, he learned the ins and outs of the wine world. As a young man, rugby was his passion and its team spirit and combative energy contributed to shaping his nature. With his enologist diploma in hand, he began his career in cooperative winemaking with a successful stint at the Cooperative of Roquebrun. In 2005 he joined the Cooperative of Cers & Portiragnes, and in 2008 became the general manager of the Cooperative of Cers, Portiragnes & Villeneuve les Béziers – an enormous challenge at the age of 36. In order to meet this challenge, he surrounded himself with a young, motivated and dynamic team.

Aurélie CHARRON - Sales Director, France and Export

Steeped in the agricultural and wine world (Cognac) since childhood, it was only natural that Aurélie did her studies in the food industry and international business with a focus on the wine industry. Vinication at a Bordeaux chateau, working in an enological laboratory in Cognac, and going door-to-door at Henry Maire gave Aurélie invaluable experience, but it was while working in Switzerland at the largest cooperative of Valais that she discovered the meaning of traceability and quality control by participating in the implementation of ISO 9002. Aurélie went back to her studies and was top of her class in international business with a focus on the wine industry. She began her career as Export Manager. Among her qualities: creativity and marketing analysis that fits in perfectly with her current functions.

Bertrand DUFORT - Technical Director

Bertrand is passionate. Even as a young boy he loved large tractors, and his father, a winemaker, took him along when he went to large cooperative wineries in the Languedoc region. So it was natural that Bertrand studied agronomy and viticulture-enology. After receiving his diploma, he became cellar master at a domaine in Hérault. In 2002, he became Cellar Master at the Cooperative of Cers and Portiragnes. Enthusiastic and committed, Bertrand participated in the implementation of new strategies and the development of production in bottles. He was then promoted to Technical Director.

THE SOUL OF OUR

VIGNERONS

ALMA CERSIUS represents 167 winemakers. And as in many families, the know-how and different personalities of each person bring diversity and character to Alma Cersius. Here are 3 profiles, faces, temperaments – to start off with! to better understand how «our wines breathe the soul of our winemakers»

OUR PREMIUM BRANDS (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)

Varietal CODE range

Varietal AFTER BE FOR

The Trilogy Les Pieds dans l’Eau ...

Les Yeux dans les Etoiles ... La Tête Ailleurs ...

Cersius (White & Red)

In Vino Erotico (White & Red)

Secret Rouge

Terra Patres