Château de Rouanne is the 3^rd estate in The Vine portfolio owned by Louis Barruol (see also Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas and Forge Estate in New York’s Finger Lakes – obviously we hold this winegrower in exceptionally high esteem). Located in the relatively ‘unknown’ appellation of Vinsobres, which was elevated to its own AOC in 2006, this is an historic estate. A medieval castle, originally from the 12^th century, was established on a 2000-year old Gallo-Roman villa on this site. Destroyed during the French Revolution, the castle was rebuilt in 1820.

‘Rouanne is a unique historical estate located in a one-block monopole slope which is the quintessence of Vinsobres. It is a very special place that deserves a lot of love and dedication.’ The property spans a total of 70ha, 60 of which are planted to vines in the western part of Vinsobres on a southeast facing slope overlooking Mt. Ventoux from the north. It was one of the primary sources of fruit from which Louis makes his excellent Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône, so when the property came up for sale it was an easy decision. As Louis notes, ‘this is my last big project’. Having worked with the property for many years Louis already has a good idea of where his best plots will be for an, as yet undetermined ‘Lieu-dit’ project.

The vineyard was planted in the 1960’s with an exceptional heritage of massale selection of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre on limestone and sandy marl dating back to the Pliocene epoch. The forest that surrounds the vineyard and sits atop the slope acts as a temperature regulator making Rouanne a well-tempered micro-climate. The cellar is traditionally designed with concrete vats and an underground area to ensure good élevage. Given the timing of his purchase of the estate, Louis assisted in winemaking for the 2018 vintage. His immediate plans are to fully convert the property into a certified organic estate.

There is much work to be done to fully restore the property and its vineyards to their true potential, but Louis firmly believes that he can achieve at Château de Rouanne what he has achieved at Château de Saint Cosme and place Vinsobres amongst the everyday vernacular when consumers talk about the southern Rhône. As the saying goes, watch this space…