Terroir and vineyard

The topography is characterised by an altitude between 250 and 450 metres with an average incline of 20%.

The soils enjoy two different yet complementary profiles: Miocene red marl and ancient alluvial terraces. As a result, they are quite rocky, with potent active limestone and an alkaline pH around 8.2.

The annual rainfall for the region is approximately 790 mm.

During the vegetative period, from April to September, this even drops to only 390 mm.

This means a deficit in rainfall that forces the vines to grow deep roots in order to find water.

Between June and September temperatures can exceed 30°C over an average of 35 days, while the Mistral wind blows from the north for more than 120 days per year.

As a result, the vineyard is little affected by cryptogamic diseases (mildew and grey mould).

The vineyard is mainly composed of red varietals (80%) with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan. White varietals (20%) include Grenache, Viogniers, Marsanne, Roussannes and Clairette.

The average age of the vines stocks is 35 years, fand the average annual yield is less than 30 hectolitres per hectare.

The Syrah stocks grow on 2 m high trellis to enable, where necessary, careful hand stemming that provides a better orientation (sunlight) and ventilation of the bunches.