Clos Uroulat is a family winery located in southwestern France, in the Jurançon region, where mountain slopes, Atlantic winds, and centuries-old winemaking traditions create a unique terroir expression for both sweet and dry white wines. The estate is led by Charles Hours, one of the pioneers who revitalized the modern identity of Jurançon and brought the ‘Petit Manseng’ grape to international recognition.
Since the early 1980s, the Hours family has been caring for 17 hectares of vineyards surrounding the village of Monein, nestled at the foothills of the Pyrenees. The vines grow between 200 and 400 meters above sea level, on a mix of clay and stony limestone soils — a combination that gives the wines both fruit richness and structural precision.
Charles Hours was among the first winemakers to craft expressive yet pure, balanced sweet wines from late-harvest ‘Petit Manseng’. His philosophy is to balance nature’s strength with human patience, preserving the authenticity of each vineyard and the integrity of its terroir expression.
Wine Style
Clos Uroulat wines are known for their clarity, balance, and mineral precision. They combine the freshness of the Atlantic climate with the ripeness typical of Jurançon — wines where sweetness is always matched by acidity, and intensity meets elegance.
• Sweet wines – made mainly from late-harvest ‘Petit Manseng’, they display rich texture and aromas of honey, dried fruit, pineapple, and orange zest, balanced by vibrant acidity that gives them freshness and harmony.
• Dry wines (‘Sec’) – produced from ‘Gros Manseng’ and ‘Petit Manseng’, offer notes of citrus, white flowers, herbs, and saline minerality. These are delicate wines that reflect the vitality of the region’s limestone soils.
Prestigious Vineyards
The Clos Uroulat vineyards are located around Monein, one of the best areas for viticulture in Jurançon. The plots lie on south-facing terraced slopes, bathed in sunlight, while cool mountain breezes preserve acidity and prevent over-ripening.
• Clos Uroulat – the estate’s flagship vineyard, home to the oldest ‘Petit Manseng’ vines, producing the iconic sweet wine renowned for its longevity and subtle oxidative maturity.
• La Cana de l’Ours – a small plot used for the dry Jurançon Sec, dominated by limestone soils that provide structure and minerality.
Aging and Drinking Window
Clos Uroulat wines are naturally aged, typically for 10–12 months in oak barrels, allowing gentle oxidative contact that builds texture and aromatic depth. The winemaker avoids excessive oak influence, focusing instead on highlighting the true essence of the wine.
The sweet wines have remarkable aging potential — they can evolve for 10–15 years, developing notes of nuts, caramelized fruit, and waxy richness. The dry wines are best enjoyed within 3–5 years, when their bright acidity and mineral vitality are at their peak.
Clos Uroulat stands as a symbol of Jurançon’s excellence – where tradition and modernity coexist in perfect harmony, and each bottle expresses the deep connection between nature, craftsmanship, and time.
