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Château de Vaudieu Winery Guide
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Last updated: June 4, 2024
Winery Overview
Some quite extraordinary and complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines are made at the family-run Château de Vaudieu, a testament to the remarkable local terroir and the skill and prowess of winemaker Philippe Cambie. His unparalleled understanding of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and its ancient varieties has ensured that Châteaude Vaudieu is a leading benchmark for other southern Rhone Valley properties – over the past decade or more, Châteaude Vaudieu has been one of the finest and most reliable names in the region.
Châteaude Vaudieu has produced high-quality wine in the appellation since the 18th century. This mid-sized estate with 70 hectares benefits greatly from exceptional vineyard sites, some of which average 60-plus years of age. The property takes its name from the local description ‘Val de Dieu,’ referencing the region’s spectacular landscape. It was founded in 1767 by Admiral Gérin, a lieutenant in the Marseille admiralty. He constructed a magnificent Château in the region’s heart and built a strong reputation for his quality of wines. Of course, as is typically the way with wine estates, the Château changed hands over the years until it came under the control of Gabriel and Juliette Meffre. They did much to expand the reputation and vineyard holdings of the Chateau, enlarging their holdings to today’s 70 hectares.
The great Gabriel Meffre passed away in 1987, yet his impressive legacy remains today. He was succeeded by his daughter Sylvette Bréchet, who has steered the property to further greatness ever since. She has been aided since the 1990s by her son Laurent, who today is responsible for the day-to-day management of the estate. Together, they have implemented several important changes at the Chateau, including modernizing the existing winery to vinify the fruit separately from each of their 32 vineyard plots, allowing each terroir’s unique properties to be fully expressed. They have also expanded their cellars and, most importantly, shown an unwavering dedication to only producing the highest quality wines.
But what is most remarkable about this wonderful property is that even in lesser vintages, the wines show impressively well – in good years, they are outstanding! And while all of Cambie’s wines are reliably excellent, the marvelous old-vine cuvée prestige Admiral G shows incredible intensity and real class. It is produced from very low-yielding, superbly sited, venerable vines. It is simply one of the great wines of the appellation and France.
Wines produced
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Châteaude Vaudieu 'Closerie de Vaudieu' Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012
55% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 9% Mourvedre. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine is then aged in tank for 12 months before release to maintain freshness. -
Châteaude Vaudieu Cuvee Val de Dieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2012
60% Grenache, 25% Syrah,15% Mourvedre. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine is then aged in a mixture of 600 litre oak barrels and vats for 18 months before release. -
Châteaude Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012
75% Grenache Blanc, 25% Marsanne. Syrah. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats with natural yeasts. The wine is partially matured (the Roussanne and part of the Grenache) in 228 litre French oak barrels, the remainder in vats. The wine is then subject to 8 months maturation on fine lees, before bottling. -
Châteaude Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2012
74% Grenache, 26% Syrah – some others in tiny quantities. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats. The wine is partially matured for 14 months in 228 litre French oak barrels, the remainder in vats -
Châteaude Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Clos du Belvedere 2010
100% Grenache Blanc. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and a small percentage of French oak. The wine is then rested on its lees, with regular lees stirring to promote texture and weight. -
Châteaude Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape Admiral G 2012
60% Grenache, 25% Syrah,15% Mourvedre. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine is then aged in 600 litre oak barrels for 18 months before release. The prestige wine of the property, Admiral G will benefit from extended cellaring after release.
Winery Contact Details
Château de Vaudieu
Route de Courthezon84230 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France
Email: [email protected]
Tel +33 (0) 04 90 83 70 31
Fax +33 (0) 04 90 83 51 97 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
AOC Chateauneauf-du-pape
Founded
1767
Area under Vine
70 Hectares
Age of vines
30 years+
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Philippe Cambie
Owner
Brechet Family
Production
Approximately 180,000 bottles
Grape varietals
Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache (red and white), Mourvedre, Cinsault, Picpoul
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Grenache Blanc
Grenache blanc is a white wine grape varietal popular in the Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Languedoc-Roussillon regions of Southern France.
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Marsanne
Uncover the allure of Marsanne grape variety. From its traditional role in Rhône blends to the new wave of single-varietal Marsanne wines.
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Picpoul
Picpoul Blanc is a white wine grape varietal grown primarily in the Rhone Valley and Languedoc-Roussillon regions of France.
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Roussanne
Learn about Roussanne, the elegant white grape native to Rhône. Often blended with Marsanne, explore its unique qualities and rich heritage in our guide.
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Viognier
Viognier comes from the northern Rhône valley AOC of Condrieu and is where its most famous white wines are produced.
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Syrah
Syrah is dark-skinned and perhaps the most underrated of the 'noble' red grape varieties.
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Grenache Noir
Discover grenache, a mediterranean grape that is dark-skinned red wine grape variety and an unlikely hero of a grape
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Mourvedre
Mourvèdre is a red wine grape variety of mysterious origin that's grown around the world, including the Rhone and Provence regions of France.
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Cinsault
Cinsault is a red wine grape that is important in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of France because of its tolerance to high temperatures.
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Winery Appellations
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