Mas Saint-Louis

The history of Mas Saint Louis

Domaine du Mas Saint Louis was founded by Jean-Louis Geniest in the early 20th century. He himself was heir to a long tradition of coopers whose family had settled on the banks of the Rhône in the 18th century.

Jean-Louis Geniest had the idea of grouping the family's lands near the old road from Avignon to Châteauneuf du Pape, to create an estate worthy of the name. In 1909, he acquired the Maison Vigneronne, located at 28 avenue du Baron Le Roy, in the Clos district of Châteauneuf du Pape. In order to be able to vinify all the produce from the plots around the old Mas Saint Louis, he undertook the renovation of the old vats, which are still in use today.

Jean-Louis Geniest then passed Mas Saint Louis on to his son Gabriel, who in turn entrusted its management to his son Louis. Louis decided to expand the estate by restructuring the vineyard. He acquired new plots, while exchanging others, so as to obtain an estate covering more than 30 hectares in a single block.

Louis' son Jean, an eminent jurist and doctor of law, continues the work of his ancestors today, thanks in particular to his wife Monique, who plays an active role in the running of Mas Saint Louis.

The Mas Saint Louis vineyard

The Mas Saint Louis vineyard extends almost exclusively to the south of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation, with the exception of a small parcel of Syrah grapes adjoining the Cave de Châteauneuf du Pape, located in the heart of the village. The parcels cover famous localities such as Crousroute and La Lionne, near the Bras des Armeniers, a former branch of the Rhône, now a fishing reserve.

At the center of the estate sits Mas Saint Louis, built of tapi, a traditional mixture of compacted gravel and clay. The vines are surrounded by a green paradise of pine and holm oak groves. The slightly sandy soil is laid out in terraces of rolled pebbles and Burdigalian molasse strata typical of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. The vines benefit from the heat stored by the pebbles during the day and released at night to bring the grapes to optimum ripeness.

The vineyards are farmed using traditional, environmentally-friendly methods. Manual labor is favored.

The Mas Saint Louis grape varieties

The average age of the vines is around forty years. However, some Grenaches exceed half a century.

Grenache is the majority grape variety, covering 80% of the estate. It particularly appreciates the region's rounded pebbles and hot sun. It gives the wine its structure, amplitude and generosity on the palate. It gives the wine its ruby color and aromas of red and black fruits, tinged with spicy notes.

Syrah, which occupies 8% of the vineyard, lends finesse to the wine, as well as floral and spicy aromas.

Mourvèdre is selected for its structure and complexity. It enriches the wine with its red fruit flavors.

Cinsault brings suppleness to the wine, as well as a tannic structure of great finesse.

Other authorized grape varieties complete the blend in small doses: Counoise, Picpoul, Bourboulenc and Muscardin.