David Keenan: “It seems impossibly fitting, and perfectly weird, that in order to celebrate the life and vision of the late DJ and counter cultural evangelist Andrew Weatherall, once a year pilgrims from all over the world make their way to Carcassonne, a fortified medieval city in the south of France that was home to the Cathar heresy and that is now the spiritual home of gnostic sonics. There is no other festival – no other experience - quite like it. Travelling there over the years has literally altered my DNA. I listen to music, specifically dance music - this music of coming together, this music that dissolves difference, this music of affirmative yea-saying - in a completely different way thanks to Convenanza. There is a warmth to the crowd that I have never experienced anywhere else, a feeling of everyone being on the dance floor, or just hanging at the many beautiful restaurants and bars, together, as one, that is incomparable. The sets that take place outdoors in the castle have been some of the most magical real-time experiences of my life and the way the festival has expanded to take in a literary salon, as well as smaller sets in the Le Bar à Vins, seems perfectly in keeping with Weatherall’s vision of a cross-cultural happening on the very margins of the music industry, not to say of consensus reality. Together, Bernie, Martine, Lizzie, Rusty and Sean have re-visioned the festival as a place of pilgrimage that ensures Andrew Weatherall will live forever, because Convenanza makes it so.”
Hôtel de la Cité was Andrew’s favourite spot in the castle. They’ve been supporting the festival since day one. It’s an amazing place with a Michelin star restaurant and a stylish cocktail bar with an English-gents-club-meets-library look for cosseted drinking.
If Jay Gatsby threw a bash, it would probably look like this hotel bar. The back garden is a haven of peace, overlooking the city and the pyrenees mountains.
Founded in 1995, Calmel & Joseph is primarily a story of human connections, built on shared encounters and passions. After traveling the world, Jérôme Joseph and Laurent Calmel decided to settle at the end of the Chemin de la Madone, just a stone's throw from the majestic medieval City of Carcassonne, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is here, in the most continental terroir of the Corbières appellation, that the Calmel & Joseph adventure began. The Languedoc-Roussillon region, a true land of opportunity, offers an exceptional environment for cultivating wines of the highest quality.
Our estate is a peaceful haven, stretching over 200 hectares, including 20 hectares of vineyards, 2,000 olive trees, lavender fields, garrigue, and almond trees. We also host a variety of private and professional events, thanks to our 4 cottages, an indoor heated pool open year-round, and a spacious reception area. Whether for a wedding, seminar, or vacation, our estate is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the land.
As a negociant-craftsman, we take a selective approach to winemaking, favoring parcel-based selection to craft limited-edition cuvées. Each bottle tells the story of the finest terroirs in Languedoc-Roussillon. From powerful and expressive wines to more refined and subtle offerings, we provide a bespoke experience tailored to every palate.
Since 2017, we have had the honor of supporting the Convenanza festival, a local and intimate event that showcases extraordinary artists. Much like our estate, the festival, though small in scale, shines for the quality of its performances and the enthusiasm of its audience. It primarily attracts music lovers, many from the United Kingdom, which makes this partnership particularly meaningful to us, as Calmel & Joseph is strongly present in the UK and our full range of wines is available there.
For nearly a decade, we have been proud to be the sole wine supplier of the Convenanza festival. This commitment reflects our desire to support events that, like our estate, combine passion, quality, and a deep local connection.
