Southern Rhône: from the Dentelles to the river
One long line, east to west: down from the limestone blades of the Dentelles past Vacqueyras, across the plain, over the stony plateau north of Châteauneuf, across the Rhône to the terraces of Lirac. Tap a layer to read it.
Swipe the plate sideways to see the whole section.
Schematic and long: 29 km, so the vertical scale is strongly exaggerated. Layer shapes follow the general geology (BRGM sheets Orange, Carpentras and Avignon) and are to be checked at 1:50,000; the upended Dentelles beds are drawn very simply. The line passes 0.8 km north of Courthézon and 1.6 km north of Châteauneuf village. Font du Loup's Le Puy Rolland, on the north edge of La Crau, is about 3 km south of the line (pins approximate); Clos de Caveau's hill is about 0.7 km off it; Durieu's Pont de Pierres is not located. These are drawn dashed. Maravilhas, near Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, is about 3 km north of the line. Ground from AWS terrain data.
11 layers, youngest at the top
Single vineyards we pour from. Tap one on the plate.
Why the same Grenache tastes so different
- On sand, Grenache is perfumed and silky; on galets and red clay it is powerful and firm.
- Height and shelter under the Dentelles give Vacqueyras' upper slopes cooler nights and fresher wines.
- The mistral dries the vines after rain and keeps disease low, which makes organic farming easier.
- Châteauneuf is in the driest part of the southern Rhône; deep clay under the stones keeps the vines going.
Did you knowThe galets roulés are not local stone. They are Alpine quartzite, rounded in the Rhône and its tributaries and left high and dry on terraces as the river cut down.
Pas Mal wines on this ground
Vacqueyras, under the Dentelles
- Carmin BrillantClos de Caveau
- Côtes-du-Rhône Les BateliersClos de Caveau
- Fruit SauvageClos de Caveau
- Les BataillersClos de Caveau
- Vacqueyras Lao MuseClos de Caveau
Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its Côtes du Rhône
- Châteauneuf-du-PapeChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape BlancChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape LegendChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les DemoisellesChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Puy Rolland 100% GrenacheChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Côtes du RhôneChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Côtes du Rhône BlancChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Côtes du Rhône RougeChâteau de la Font du Loup
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Lucie l'ÉperduDomaine Durieu
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Lucile AvrilDomaine Durieu
- Côtes-du-RhôneDomaine Durieu
Lirac, across the river
- Cuvée Alice — CinsaultDomaine des Maravilhas
- Lirac Cuvée La Pierre de Josette — SyrahDomaine des Maravilhas
- Lirac Pradau BlancDomaine des Maravilhas
- Lirac Pradau RougeDomaine des Maravilhas
Further north: Visan
- Côtes-du-Rhône Les EstoublesRémi Pouizin
- Visan Côtes-du-Rhône Piemont VolabisRémi Pouizin
Further north: Crozes-Hermitage
- Crozes-Hermitage Rouge InspirationDomaine de la Ville Rouge
Sources: chateauneuf.com, soil and vineyard map (after Georges Truc); Decanter, Jefford on Châteauneuf sand and on the mistral; Vieux Télégraphe technical sheets (La Crau); Kermit Lynch and Grape Collective, Vacqueyras terroirs; BRGM 1:50,000 geological maps, sheets Orange, Carpentras, Avignon; AWS Terrain Tiles; The Wine Cellar Insider, Château de la Font du Loup; Clos de Caveau, estate notes; Domaine Durieu, importer sheet for Pont de Pierres (vincod).