The Story

 

When Philippe du Roy de Blicquy and his business partner Sanislas Wallut bought Domaine de Villeneuve in 1993, they had a lot of work ahead of them. It used to belong to the Arnaux family, but was in a poor condition by the time of purchase. In order to fully utilise gravity in the process of vinification, a new winery was built underground over three levels.

Using bio-dynamic practices the old vines were nursed back to health and only a small percentage of the vineyard was re-planted, mostly to Syrah and Mourvedre.

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The People

Stanislas & Philippe

These are stylish wines of intensity, depth and grace that possess natural balance and moderate alcohol levels with no undue heaviness or extract.

Clays are together the « bones » of the soil and the larder of the nutritive components of the organic matter which is the basis of the life activity in the soil. Loess, sans and stones give porosity which is the sign of terroirs of quality.
Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Clairette from 30 to 100 years old.

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The Place

France, Rhone

They have 8 hectares of vines, some are around a century old, mainly of Grenache but also with smaller numbers of MourvèdreSyrahCinsault and Clairette. The vines grow across three soil types: sand, clay and limestone; gravel; and soil containing “galets” – small pebbles that retain heat during the day to keep the vines warm at night. The land is ploughed by horse, and biodynamic practises have taken place here since 2007, when it was certified as such.

The domain produces only small yields, at around 24 to 28 hl/ha, and up to 20,000 bottles every vintage. Fermentation takes place in cement tanks.