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CAROLINE BONNEFOY IN HER VINEYARDS
level with clay and brown limestone pebble-strewn soils facing South, Maison Lumian &
Bonnefoy covers 45 hectares under vine straddling four appellations - Valréas, Beaumes-de-
Venise, Ventoux and Rasteau. “We strive to offer the finest rendition of our vineyard sites”, says
Bonnefoy. “The cool subsoil and elevation of 210 to 260 metres for the hillsides make this one
of the latest-ripening parts of the appellation area. We can wait for phenolic ripeness without
generating excessive alcohol content”. The southern aspect of the hillside sites, sheltered from
the Mistral wind by the state-owned forest to the North, along with the brown limestone
pebbles on the surface, promote ripening in the Grenache vines. The earlier-ripening Syrah
benefits from cooler temperatures due to a nearby spring.
VINSOBRES
DOMAINE LE MIRABEAU: SCALING THE HEIGHTS
Facing the Mont Ventoux, Vinsobres is the first Rhone Valley Cru in the Provence part of
Drôme, the most southerly part of the Auvergne-Rhônes-Alpes region. Located thirty or
so kilometres from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, it produces rich, ample wines due to its terroir
and remarkable exposure. The reds display minerality which lends them specific characters
and ageability. Philippe Wallon and his son Sébastien farm 5 hectares of vineyards and limit
production at Domaine Le Mirabeau to 10,000 bottles blended from 70% Grenache and 30%
Syrah – the wines have been awarded a Gilbert & Gaillard gold medal. “The uniqueness of
our vineyard sites stems from the appellation’s location”, explains Philippe Wallon. Set at 400
metres above sea level, Vinsobres is the highest Cru in the entire Rhone Valley. “On top of this
is the nearby Mont Ventoux which creates a hot climate during the day and cool tempera-
AUTUMN 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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