The history of the Domaine BELLE is like its vineyard, it has deep and strong roots in the Hermitage terroir. Imagine that in 1769 the population living around the castle of Larange (Village where Domaine BELLE is located) received from the master of the place a little piece of land in order to plant a vineyard and make their own wines! It was mainly for a personal consumption and from there came the expression of « house-wine ». It is only in 1930 with Mr Louis BELLE (grandfather of the actual owner) that the winery really started. Louis loves working in his vineyard but doesn’t really like to make wine. Therefore he bought good lands extending the family property and had the idea to create a wine cooperative where he could sell his grapes. His son, Albert, is more passionate and started to make his own wine but was selling it only to friends and neighbours.  It is only in 1990 that Domaine BELLE became an internationally recognized winery, under the impulsion of Philippe, Albert’s son. Philippe studied oenology in Beaune and when he came back to the family property, he had a clear idea of what to do. He did some very heavy investments in a modern winery. He was one of the first to understand the terroir and knew that everything was dependent on the respect for it. He also realized that quality wine was a lot of work, so changes had to be made: short pruning, green harvest, working of the soil, treatments only when needed… Today the estate covers 25 ha, producing red and white Crozes Hermitage and Hermitage wines. Domaine BELLE is considered one of the greatest producers of these wines.

The Viticulture

Red wines are made from Syrah grape variety and white wines are made from Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties. Once again, the surrounding of the vineyard is very important and good harvest depends on it. Therefore, Philippe is driving Domaine BELLE as a sustainable viticulture estate. Work of the soil, moderated chemical treatments, thinning out the leaves, green harvest by hand, using organic fertilizer and not abusing the use of it – all this contributes to a better rooting of the vine plants, extracting the best nutrients for the grapes they are producing…for a wonderful result in the glass at the end: a great structured wine!

The Vinification

Domaine BELLE is combining old savoir faire passed on and modern technology. Harvest is done by hand as they used to do in the olden days, both for reds and for whites. Most of the whites are vinified for one part in oak barrels and in steel tanks for the rest. It is always a long process (up to 18 months) and needs a lot of care. All the red wines from Domaine BELLE are vinified in oak barrels. Here, again, the knowledge of the vineyard and its soil is important, as not all the wines are going to follow the same procedure of vinification. Some wines are vinified for 24 months before the bottling. The range of produced wines show several differences and can suit any demanding wine lover!

Located in the Meridional part of the Côtes du Rhône, just in front of Châteauneuf du Pape, this old estate has been in the same family for at least 6 generations. Today, Marc Serguier, his wife and his son are working all together on the 30ha vineyard. You have to know that Marc SERGUIER has a dream: to get a vineyard in Chateauneuf du Pape one day… His estate is facing that wonderful appellation and even if Domaine des BOUZONS is producing only Côtes du Rhône wines, they are elaborate as if they were Chateauneuf du Pape wines!

The Viticulture

Stretching along the banks of the Rhône river in the Gard, the Domaine des Bouzons is centred on the traditional farmhouse built in the 17th Century by an ancestor, on the spot where four hundred years ago a spring of water flowed, and still flows today. The vineyard is planted with vines that in some cases are more than 50 years old. It is situated on hillsides and overlooks the Rhône valley. This land is typical of the South, with a soil of clay and limestone with river-worn pebbles, where the sun is king and the Mistral wind is the most faithful ally. Domaine des BOUZONS is a winery that works with grape varieties that have complemetary characteristics: Grenache, Syrah, Counoise and Cinsault for the reds, Roussane and Clairette for the whites. This estate works with a reasoned cultural approach, taking care of the soil and environment.

The Vinification

A few years ago, Domaine des BOUZONS invested in a modern winery. Therefore, Marc SERGUIER combines traditional vinification techniques with the latest technology. Manual grape harvest, partial or total destem of the grapes, vinification in stainless steel vats or concrete vats and with controlled temperature. Some wines are aged in oak barrels, but not new ones. It results in wines with good sustained depth of colour. Aromas of fruit and spices take turns surprising the palate. These wines carry the scent of Provence and the sun-drenched banks of the Rhône river. Even if domaine des BOUZONS is producing only Côtes du Rhône wines, the savoir faire and the passion of the good work make Domaine des BOUZONS a master in that appellation!

Vineyard