Noble Grenache Noir is the backbone of all southern Rhône reds. In a small plot of vines planted in 1946, fringed by pines that temper the Mistral’s damaging gusts, old vines frugally yield a few bunches from soils of marl and clay-rich sand.
The uncrushed grapes are destemmed, and we let their native yeasts go to work. Light-touch interventions (infusion and short, gentle pumpovers) let the terroir and grapes fully express themselves. The wine is aged in concrete vats for 18 months, then bottled in an underground cellars.
Montvac's Vacqueyras Variation boasts scents of leather and spice and everything nice, including a healthy helping of ripe black cherries. Full-bodied, creamy and supple, it's concentrated and rich, with a velvety finish that lingers, doling out hints of allspice and anise. Delicious now, it should drink well for the next 5 years.
Handed down from mother to daughter, the estate has also kindled fresh vocations. Although their husbands come from other backgrounds, they have developed a passion for wine, helping to improve and diversify the family’s vineyards across several appellations: Gigondas (3 ha), Vacqueyras (17 ha) and Côtes-du-Rhône (2 ha).
Cécile Dusserre is the 5th generation; and her daughter Amélie, the 6th.
A wine’s typicity stems from its combination of terroir-variety which imparts structure and aromatic harmony. The concept of terroir involves respecting the soil and its environment. At Domaine de Montvac, herbicides and pesticides are non grata. The entire estate is cultivated organically, and our methods are Ecocert certified since 2014. Our vines are in sync with nature, so that they give of their best and make our wines as complex and distinctive as can be. Although the land is worked mechanically, the architecture of each vine is crafted by hand.
The iconic Grenache noir is most widely planted. In stony soils and on sun-soaked hillsides, it will serve up its generous character and its symphony of aromatics.
Our Syrah vines, planted in cooler soils, will contribute fruity and floral notes and rich colour.
And our Mourvèdre is used parsimoniously to increase the aromatic persistence of the final blend.
Counoise, Carignan, Grenache gris, Clairette rose and Cinsault are late-ripening varieties with lower phenolic maturity. They impart freshness and, above all, the diversity we need to make complex wines.
Respect for the terroir means respecting the grapes that grow there. We do not crush them; we destem them; and we leave their native yeasts to do the work. Morning and evening analyses, and daily tastings, guide vinification. We only carry out light-touch interventions (infusion and short, gentle pumpovers) that coax out all the grapes’ qualities.
After fermentation, the wines are kept in an underground cellar, where they evolve slowly and serenely in concrete vats (reds) and demi-muid barrels (whites).