| Region of production: | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Winery Location: | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Year Established: | 1962 |
Vineyard Holdings
Approximately 15 ha
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge: 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault. 4,200 cases produced.
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc: 50% Clairette and 50% Roussanne. Aged in stainless steel. 300 cases produced. Inaugural vintage 1993.
Average Total Production
- 54,000 bottles
Summary
Founded by Marcel Michel, the domaine is currently run by the granddaughter, Claire, and her brother, François. Despite a relatively short history, Le Vieux Donjon is known for classically made and muscular wines from old vines, though the estate has modernized over time given Claire’s new world experiences, which includes interning at Harlan Estate in Napa Valley. Their vineyard holdings cover 15 hectares, with five in the lieu-dit of Piedlong. Here, the Grenache vines are nearly a century old. They make a single red and a single white wine in each vintage, with a philosophy that focuses on only one cuvée.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Vinification is very traditional at Le Vieux Donjon. Red grapes are partially de-stemmed before co-fermenting in concrete vats. The red wines are aged in old foudres for 18 months, while the whites are fermented and kept in stainless steel tank.
Producer Website: N/A