Domaine de la Charbonnière: Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Organic Winemaking Legacy
Domaine de la Charbonnière is a prestigious family-run estate located in the heart of the southern Rhône Valley, within the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Established in 1912, it has been passed down through four generations of the Maret family, with Véronique and Caroline Maret currently at the helm. The domaine is celebrated for its deep connection to its terroir, organic farming practices, and sustainable winemaking.
Terroir and Geology
The estate’s vineyards stretch over 19.5 hectares in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, with additional holdings in Vacqueyras (5.79 ha) and Côtes du Rhône (1.51 ha). The geology of the region plays a critical role in shaping the character of Domaine de la Charbonnière’s wines. Their Châteauneuf-du-Pape parcels feature a variety of soils, most notably the famous galets roulés (round pebbles), as well as sand and limestone. The galets help retain heat during the day and release it at night, contributing to the grapes’ optimal ripening and flavor development. These diverse soils contribute to the balance of power and elegance that defines the estate’s wines.
Vacqueyras vineyards, on the other hand, are located on limestone and clay-rich soils, which bring minerality and structure to the wines, while the Côtes du Rhône holdings provide more accessible, fruit-forward expressions.
Grape Varieties and Winemaking
Domaine de la Charbonnière cultivates both red and white grape varieties, with a particular focus on Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre for their red blends, and Roussanne, Clairette, and Bourboulenc for whites. These varietals are grown organically, a practice adopted in 2014 under Véronique’s leadership. The focus on organic farming and sustainability extends from the vineyard to the winery, ensuring that each wine reflects the purity of the terroir.
The winemaking process is meticulous, with grapes being hand-harvested and sorted twice—once in the vineyard and again on a sorting table at the winery. The reds undergo fermentation in conical wood vats and stainless steel, followed by aging in a mix of demi-muids and oak barrels. This traditional approach, combined with organic viticulture, results in wines with great depth, complexity, and a true sense of place.
Signature Wines
The estate is renowned for its Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds, particularly its Mourre des Perdrix and Les Hautes Brusquières cuvées. These wines are known for their complexity, combining ripe red fruit flavors with earthy and spicy notes. The Les Hautes Brusquières is particularly admired for its concentration and aging potential, while Mourre des Perdrix offers a softer, more approachable profile.
Domaine de la Charbonnière also excels with its Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc, a white wine blend that showcases citrus, floral, and stone fruit aromas, with a fresh, mineral-driven finish. In addition, their Vacqueyras wines, particularly the Cuvée Domaine, offer rich, dark fruit flavors and smooth tannins.
