The combination of grape-variety and Mediterranean climate with our terroirs and the freshness and delicacy of altitude, makes the singularity of our wines.

Respecting Rhône Valley traditions, confirmed by several centuries of vines’ culture, our vineyard is naturally planted in Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault and Clairette grape varieties.

Grenache

First grape-variety planted by my grand father on domain Romane and La Machotte, Grenache constitutes presently our oldest vines. It is the main grape variety of Southern RhôneValley, well adapted to our Mediterranean climate. In the great terroirs of “local appellations (crus)”, it proved itself to be extraordinary; and it is the case on our clay limestone soils in altitude. Over the years, I remain persuaded that a very big proportion of this grape variety is essential for structuring our cuvées promised to a long ageing. Its aromatic expression varies according to the age of the wine and the vintage. After notes of black fruits (cherry) appear aromas of crystallized red fruits (plumb) notes of garrigue (thyme, rosemary, sage) with always a spiced final (black pepper, clove).

Mourvèdre

In its northern limit in Gigondas, this Provençal grape variety was very early planted by my grand father on the Domaine Grand Romane in spite of the little interest it causes at that time. Luckily we are! With patience and rigour, these Mourvèdre give us excellent powerful and silky tannins and magnificent aromas after ageing in barrels. In contrast, a plot of land in the Southwestern part of the appellation brings to our wines a sunny and wild note as well as the fineness of the sandy soils.

Syrah

This grape variety is well-known for its aromatic richness and its coloring intensity. Its vines require careful trellising or removing of unwanted new shoots in order to resist to the mistral (Northern wind) and secure a good maturation of berries. Syrah grapes which success in the Southern Rhône Valley is increasing, appear on our domain around La Machotte cellar in 1973 with the arrival of my uncle Claude, and around La Romane on sandstone plot called “Le pastifiage”, in more than 500 m in altitude. These poor soils produce very expressive Syrah which brings in wines’ youth elegance and notes of fruits (black currant), flowers (violets) and liquorice.

Cinsault

Often neglected grape variety because it produces abundant harvest in fertile soils, Cinsault is better served in our hillsides by bringing fruity, freshness and sharpness; it is mainly used in our wines rosé by bleeding.

White Clairette

Clairette is an old traditional grape variety of the Rhône Valley, mainly implanted in cold terroirs where it is particularly well adapted (in Valley of Die, for example, in Drôme) but also in more Southern terroirs as Chateauneuf du Pape or even Méditerrannean shores. The expression of our fifty-years-old vines on our terroirs in altitude is all in unctuousness and elegancy with fine aromas of white flowers (accacia) and honey. With a lively and refreshing structure in mouth our white wines are the full expression of our terroirs and will enjoy you.