History of the Vacqueyras appellation
For years Vacqueyras has the terroir to make good wine. Since 1930, the vineyard was producing Controlled Appellation Côtes du Rhône. In 1967 wines became Côtes du Rhône Villages. In 1990, after a 6 years survey of the French Institute for Controlled Appellation concerning the grapes grown, the reputation, the quality of wines, Vacqueyras was allowed to produce Cru wines. Strange destiny for this village where famous names like Frédéric Mistral or Sarah Bernardt were used to drink a glass of its thermal water.
The Controlled Appellation
The maximum yield allowed is 35 hectoliter per hectare for the whole vineyard which is 1300 hectares large. Red, rosé and white (very few production) can be produced on the Appellation. The main grapes cultivated are Grenache (50% minimum), Syrah and Mourvèdre (5%) and other traditional grapes of the region except Carignan.
Terroir
Taking advantage of the Mediterranean climate, the vineyard is composed of terraces along the “Dentelles de Montmirail”. Soils are sandy, stony and become clay -like in the southern part.
