In France’s Southern Rhône Valley, just 12 kilometers east of Avignon, lies Domaine des Garriguettes…
Garriguettes was the first vineyard in their village to embrace organic agriculture and continues to be a natural winemaking leader in the region.
Châteauneuf de Gadagne is a charming Provençal village rooted in local traditions, with a long, illustrious history as a wine-producing village, one of the oldest in France — dating back at least to the Phoenician culture. The village is located in an ideal position on top of a hill overlooking the Rhône Valley on the one side and Mont Ventoux on the other. The castle and its ramparts, which were the seat of power of the Duchy of Gadagne in 1669, can still be seen at the highest point of the hill. Sepia-toned medieval cobbled streets, ancient monuments, and a soundtrack of cicadas playing in the background of the golden countryside all contribute to an easy-living atmosphere and a feeling of timelessness.
The Gadagne Castle used to have its own vineyards in the place known as “Les Garriguettes”, which are now cultivated by Domaine des Garriguettes, and the source of its name. The region remained under papal rule until becoming part of France in 1791. This legacy can be seen in the massive Palais des Papes (Popes’ Palace) in the city center of Avignon, the historic destination for the consumption of the Gadagne village wines.
Châteauneuf de Gadagne is very important to Provençal culture and the ancient Occitan language. The jewel of the village is Château de Fontségugne, where in 1854, Frédéric Mistral began the revival movement of Occitan language and literature, called the Félibrige, with a gathering of his fellow prominent Provençal poets, to promote the language of “Oc”. The word “félibrige” is derived from félibre, a Provençal word meaning pupil or follower. Provençal is a dialect of the Occitan language, but confusingly, the name is sometimes used as a synonym for Occitan. Le Félibrige is an organization focused on protecting and promoting Occitan language and culture, fighting for recognition of cultural diversity both within France and across the wider world. This movement was instrumental in preserving the culture and language for future generations. Intrinsically tied to their homeland, Sébastien and Domaine des Garriguettes approach their mission with the same motivation: to translate and propagate their region’s culture into the next generation.
The village has been under the AOP appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages Gadagne (Protected Designation of Origin Gadagne) since the 2012 vintage. Due to restrictions from Châteauneuf-du-Pape (which they also produce), Domaine des Garriguettes are restricted from using the full name of the village, Châteauneuf de Gadagne on the label. The two appellations share almost identical characteristics, from climate to the famous galets roulés soil, of which Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne has approximately 120 hectares of all three types: rouge, blanc, and orange.
The family wine growers…
Raised in the family winery, Sébastien inherited his passion for wine, along with hands-on experience at a very early age, from his grandfather Jean Clément, and his father, Jean Louis. Subsequently, Sébastien left the region to work at other wineries for a few years, gaining valuable winemaking experience along the way. Sébastien and Domaine des Garriguettes have two guiding philosophies: a deep respect for promoting their family heritage and cultural traditions into the future, and a sensitivity and sense of responsibility for their contribution to the equilibrium of their ecosystem. The blending of traditional and natural vinification methods demonstrates their constant quest to produce high-quality wines with progressive regenerative and biodynamic farming methods, as well as natural winemaking techniques. All of Garriguettes’ estate vineyards are farmed certified organic (Ecocert) and certified biodynamic (Demeter), since the 2010 vintage; however, Sébastien’s father, Jean-Louis, also worked without chemical intervention.
A four-generation family winery, in the village of Châteauneuf de Gadagne. Sébastien Clément is a young vigneron handcrafting innovative and fresh expressions that honor the traditions of his Provençal village. The domaine utilizes strictly natural and regenerative farming practices and produces Demeter-certified biodynamic wines from old vines. Made without the use of chemicals or additives, Garriguettes offers wines of exceptional freshness, elegance, and ultimate drinkability; a revelation in southern France.
In the cellar, Sébastien works in an intuitive manner with the least amount of intervention possible. Every vineyard and cuvée is handled individually; the only formula at the winery is excellence. Indigenous yeasts are used for alcoholic fermentation for the entirety of the cuvées, and malolactic fermentations are spontaneous and never rushed.
Sébastien Clément is a friendly, highly energetic, and passionate ambassador for his culture, which guides him in all of his work at Domaine des Garriguettes. You will often find him beaming with a smile, proudly wearing the béret bleu (blue cap) of his grandfather — a symbol of the working class of his region. It is important to understand that Sébastien’s motivation is not solely to produce wine; rather, he seeks to propagate a way of living in harmony with his native region, bettering it along the way. There is a distinct positive energy and momentum carrying his work that is both captivating and inspiring, and for which we are honoured to be bringing his message and wines to Australia.
Situated on a hillside, Domaine des Garriguettes benefits from pebble land, the idyllic Mediterranean climate and exposure to the warm southern Mistral wind, which all provide optimal conditions for organic and biodynamic viticulture. The harvest is naturally healthy and confers upon the wine the typical characteristics of the local soil. The composition of the soil varies from Galets roulés (rounded glacial rocks, predominantly quartzite) on mainly white clay and sand to plateau in red clay soil, covered with pebbles, and abundantly ventilated by the Mistral wind over a clay subsoil.
Domaine des Garriguettes has 22 hectares of vines and also two hectares of old olive trees planted in a pastoral, polyculture setting cohabitating among cinsault, grenache, mourvèdre, and syrah vines on the property, many of which have been in the family for generations. They utilize cover crops for soil health and to reduce heat stress in the vineyards, among other benefits.
Propellis
Sales Enquiries: contact@propellis.com.au
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging. It is an honour and a privilege to be on Whadjuk Noongar land.
Under the Liquor Control Act 1988 it is an offence to sell or supply liquor to a person under the age of 18 years on licensed or regulated premises; or for a person under the age of 18 years to purchase, or attempt to purchase, liquor on licensed or regulated premises. WA Licence Number: 616215774420
Copyright © 2021 Propellis - All Rights Reserved.
Join the Propellis Wine Family today and gain exclusive access to special offers including:
✨20% off selected Champagne and wines (stocks last)
✨Free Perth metro delivery 🥂