Chêne Bleu

The history of the Chêne Bleu estate

The Chêne Bleu estate was originally a 9th-century priory surrounded by vineyards. It was formerly known as the Domaine de La Verrière. It was the home of the Knights Templar, before being taken over by a glassblower in the 15th century, accompanied by other craftsmen. It then fell into disuse, due to quarrels over inheritance.

In 1994, the Chêne Bleu estate was spotted by a Frenchman living in London, Xavier Rolet. He fell in love with this unique property, set on a steep, high-altitude site. Chêne Bleu wines are produced at the family's Domaine de La Verrière, located in the Dentelles de Montmirail, overlooking Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the southern Rhône valley, close to the mythical Mont Ventoux.

Xavier Rolet's aim is to produce quality wines, preserving this idyllic setting and applying the most natural farming methods possible.

The Domaine du Chêne Bleu vineyard

The vineyards of Domaine du Chêne Bleu culminate at an altitude of 550 meters, in the UNESCO biosphere reserve at the foot of Mont Ventoux. At this height, the soil is very poor in topsoil. The vines plunge their roots deep into the soil to find the water and nutrients they need.

The vineyard extends over 30 hectares, planted mainly with mature Grenache, over 25 years old, and even older Syrah, over 40 years old. Other minority grape varieties have been added to the estate over the last ten years. These include traditional Rhone varieties: Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier and Clairette for white wine, and Mourvèdre for red wine.

Domaine du Chêne Bleu is run using sustainable, organic and biodynamic viticulture methods. Grapes are harvested by hand, and yields are deliberately reduced by double sorting. The grapes from each plot are vinified separately. Blending is then carried out, and the wines are stored in Burgundy oak barrels to age for two years.

The wines of Domaine du Chêne Bleu

Given the exceptional altitude of the Domaine du Chêne Bleu vineyards, the grapes ripen more slowly than on the plains. The fact that the roots are deeply anchored in the soil also influences the wine. The result is a mineral wine with fresh acidity and long ageing potential.

Although Domaine du Chêne Bleu is located at the intersection of four appellations in Provence and the Rhône, the growers decided to classify their wine as IGP vin de pays du Vaucluse. This gives them greater leeway to exploit their very specific land.