Riberach is what Bélesta was known as in Medieval times, an authentic charming little village found in the Eastern Pyrenees region on proud Catalan land... with Mount Canigou in its sights, the mountain range on the horizon, vines and heath- land all around, the Mediterranean a few kilometres away and the Tramontane wind blowing through the air... A heavenly setting forged by the power of the elements and nature, and shaped by human endeavour.

A slice of heaven located less than 25 minutes from Perpignan, between the Cathar Country and Catalan Region. Cave-Hôtel**** du Domaine Riberach combines historical character and modern style, architecture and design, in a bucolic environment in the heart of one of the most beautiful vineyards of the Mediterranean region.

Luc Richard and Karin Pühringer, passionate architects, are the owners of the Domaine and have created a real home from home atmosphere.
The ancient cooperative winery of the village had been an industrial wasteland for 10 years. Karin and Luc restored it in order to accommodate Riberach wine warehouses. The remaining area (2,000sqm) is dedicated to a luxury contemporary hotel-restaurant which is inspired by their urban culture.

After 70 years of good loyal service, Belesta’s cooperative winery was actually nothing more than an industrial wasteland when Luc Richard, who grew up around here, and his wife Karin Puringher, both architects, fell in love with the building. Luc decided to set up the Riberach wine estate with three friends. Then Karin bought the building and started to completely rebuild it with Luc. Her dream? Create a genuine hotel-restaurant-contemporary wine cellar concept based around gourmet tourism, in the spirit of the “slow food” movement and going against the zeitgeist...

Lying below the village’s Medieval castle, the cooperative winery was origi- nally 120 m of buildings on a hillside. The whole thing was planned around the original 1925 construction. The extension in the 30s made the building 60 m longer, giving it the slender look that now characterises it. By creating ope- nings and restoring the stone façade, this has helped create unity between the castle and hotel complex.
A modern metal and wood structure has been moored to the multi-layered stonework forming a large lounge terrace overlooking the gardens.

On the hotel front, 2 to 3 wine vats have been joined together to create bedrooms and suites. As for the restaurant, the dining room has been placed in the centre of the building, where the old presses used to be, in a space opening out onto the terrace via a gigantic window, over 7m long.
Karin and Luc have inherited a culture steeped in eco-friendly design from their Germanic immersion. You find this in all the project’s technical characteristics: external insulation, mineral wool in the roof, ventilation in the attic space, solar panels and geothermal installations.
The natural egg-shaped swimming pool is a huge success aesthetically and technically. Three pools make up one habitat: a swimming area over 100m2, an area with two pools filtering the water naturally and a pebbly beach for the little ones to play around in the water. Invented in Germany over 20 years ago, the process, still not widely used in France, is based on water filtration and purifica- tion by plants (replacing all chemicals).
The natural decor created is very beautiful emphasizing the uncluttered and calming effect of the overall architecture. Below this, old terraces running down towards the village stream have been restored into gardens planted with olive trees, cypresses, eucalyptus, magnolias, mimosas, palm and rose-bays, vines, rosemary, tamarix, reeds etc... A really peaceful spot for regenerating sensual pleasure...

Accommodation
On a design level, the bedrooms, junior suite or double room, are all integra- ted into the space of the original wine vats. In or above the vats, each room’s decoration is an invitation to travel... Natural oak parquet lined with green or mauve pebbles, midnight-blue false ceilings, green or brown tinged slates and coloured or whitewashed walls create artistic spaces, both natural and refined. Furniture made from bamboo, rattan, leather and mango trees tell stories of elsewhere, while Japanese panels or embroidered silk or linen curtains drape across the patio-doors as if we’re dreaming... A window diffuses natural light into the bathrooms fitted with a bathtub (and shower in the suites) and simple wash basin (or two in the suites). Thanks to its private terrace with adjoining parking space, the junior suite for disabled people, created on the garden level, is directly accessible.All bedrooms have the same fixtures and fittings (TV, internet access, small desk, built-in wardrobe, safe, mini-bar etc...). And last but not least, the icing on the cake: a bottle of RIBERACH (50 cl) will be waiting for you when you go into your room.

Very comfortable rooms created “in” and “above” the wine vats of the old cooperative winery dating from 1925. And a Mediterranean SPA, starred gastronomic restaurant, particular wine cellar, function rooms (banquets, conferences), natural swimming-pool, lounge terrace, flower gardens planted with trees, children’s play area, pétanque strip, à la carte activities and personalised reception are perfect for getaway breaks and relaxing retreats.

SPA
Exotic furniture, mirrors and carved panels give rhythm to the area whose decoration is accentuated with a few touches of lemon yellow and powder pink. The 5 refined areas occupy 5 wine vats and follow one another all along the pebble floor: boudoir, star-spangled vault hammam and sauna (free access), and also double balneo bathtub, and massage and beauty treatment room (by appointment)… In a word, a 60sqm relaxed, intimate SPA that can be enjoyed by all the residents of Domaine Riberach.

Restaurant
With its original height that has been maintained, this important centre of local gastronomy stands out for its architecture and decoration: an original Eiffel style frame structure, a tree planted in the soil, natural materials, remains of the former cooperative winery that has been preserved… In summer, on the terrace in the shade of an olive tree, guests are invited to linger and savour the hotel’s own wines, as well as the wines from other wineries, matching with Laurent Lemal’s gastronomic poetry…

Living areas
In high season, the restaurant offers its lounge terrace whether for a meal, a drink or a gourmet coffee/tea with your partner, friends or family, or alone with a book!
The garden planted with Mediterranean species spreads out over terraced grounds, and slopes down to the village stream, thus providing both a haven of peace and a regenerating pleasure. The environmentally responsible approach of the architects - Karin and Luc - was influenced by their Germanic culture. So the use of rainwater and drainage system for garden watering is essential, and the traditional swimming-pool at Riberach is a natural pool (known as “biotope”).
The technical yet attractive biotope is divided into three parts and includes one paddling pool for small children. Two pools use plants to filter the pool water. The natural pool ensures pure enjoyment with its abundance of flora and fauna. You have the feeling that your skin is soft and silky (sunscreen prohibited), the gentle lapping of water helps calm your senses down, and the planet says thank you.
Recreational areas are available… From the pétanque strip to the children’s play area, this Domaine has something for everyone to enjoy.