Alain Jaume Vacqueyras Grande Garrigue 2023

The Jaume siblings of Sébastien, Christophe and Hèlène are the 6th generation of a winegrowing family which had previously only sold grapes and wine in bulk. Their father Alain Jaume created Domaine Grand Veneur in 1976 to age and bottle the wines under their own label and the Domaine has now achieved a worldwide reputation. The estate cultivates 90ha (225 acres) of vineyards: 6 ha in AOP Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 28 ha in Lirac “Clos de Sixte”, 10 ha in Vacqueyras “Château Mazane” and 36 ha in Côtes de Rhône. The estate vineyards have been certified Organic (“Agriculture Biologique”) since 2012. The vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are located in two separate areas at the northern edge of the appellation. The “Miocene” red cuveé is grown on a raised plateau of large rounded rocks (“galets”) and sand, whilst the “Les Origines” red cuveé is grown on a plateau of galets, red clay and sand, just next to Beaucastel. The”Vieilles Vignes” red cuveé is made from the oldest vines across both terroir. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape white cuveés are grown from parcels sloping north from the raised plateau. The cooler aspect aids freshness in the wines. The estate also runs a negotiant business purchasing selected grapes and wine from wine growing partners in Tavel, Gigondas, Rasteau, Cairanne, Vacqueyras (separate from the estate-owned “Château Mazane”), Lirac (separate from the estate-owned “Clos de Sixte”), Ventoux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape (separate from the estate-owned Domaine Grand Veneur). These wines are labelled “Alain Jaume” and do not display the Domaine name.