Domaine Deleuze Rochetin

Rhone Valley and Languedoc

A letter from Baptiste...

The Domaine

On these generous lands located in the heart of Uzège, the history of the vineyard is as old as that of the Roman province, and our distant precursor Arpillus, contemporary of the construction of the Pont du Gard, will leave his name to the village.

After having belonged to several families from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 19th century, the estate entered the Deleuze family in 1820.

Gabrielle, wife of Louis Rochetin directs it until the beginning of the last century. Today, his descendants (Charles' aunt & uncle) exploit this vineyard and welcome you with pleasure.

Terroir

Catherine & Jean Michel Cathonnet entered the viticulture circle in 2006 and I joined them for the 2013 vintage with Francois Serret.

We discovered vineyards of great quality with an immense potential, marked by the Appellation d'Origine Protégée, AOP Duché D’Uzès. This appellation was only recognized in 2012 but has been producing wine since the sixth century BC. (See below)

The vineyards, situated on the piedmont of the Cevennes Massif seduced us right away. Especially with it's capacity to produce fresh wines in this southern France terroir.

Philosophy

All of the parcels of the 56 acres are Organic (ECOCERT certified), we thus guarantee that we use no synthetic products on our grapes and in our vines.

The soils are weeded mechanically with a specially designed tool that allows us to work in the rows between the vines. Concerning the protection against plant diseases, only copper and sulfur are used in prevention. A daily presence in the vines and anticipation of climatic events are essential to culminate in a healthy harvest.

This reasoning continues in our wine-making as we respect our grapes and minimize the use of additives during the different phases of the life of the wine.

A rigorous and logical process allows us to free ourselves from the use of oenological products. These efforts are evident in our wines and allow us to provide you with products without additives.

Wine

First, we apply a durable viticulture with no input of man-made products in order to obtain berries as sain as possible ; the minimum required to produce great wines. Climatology has a great influence on our work organization and on our future wines ; it's the reputable 'millésime effect'.

The Domaine's richness in grape varieties (6 white grapes & 8 red) offers a multitude of possibilities ; the harvest date has us reflecting quite a bit each year. That date is crucial in defining the style of our wines.

Then, the cellar work is to accompany, with no artifice, the grapes using vinification methods that respect the matter.

Hands off, I let the terroir be and develop it's own specificities in the wines, that way each wine is a true representation of our superb environment.

Comes the time of aging in stainless steel vats and oak barrels. Patience and the magic of blending reveal our heritage. It's a true moment of creation.

My hope, communicate all the energy and passion of our daily work through the wines.

- Baptiste Cartier, Cellar master

AOP Duché D’Uzès

Situated to the west of the Rhone river, between the famous Pont du Gard (Roman bridge) and the foothills of the Cevennes National Park, the first traces of vine planting date from the 6th century BC. The region's glory days were in the middle ages, and the Duché (or Duchy : territory of the Duke) was one of the most important to the king. It was also at that time that wine gained in quality as it was used for religious purposes, the right parcels and locations started being selected.

The legend says that the then Bishop of Uzès, XVIth Century, would give a bottle of his famous white wine to all newly weds that would not argue on their first year of marriage. This lead to the saying : « A volon gagna la vigno de mousso d'Uzès » 'They are after Mister Uzès' Vines' - Mocking young couples in their honeymoon phase...

To honor this legend, La Cave has decided to gift a bottle of Harmattan AOP Duché D’Uzès every faithful year you don't miss a shipment !

Soil is extremely diverse, aspects are varied but mostly east to southern and climate is mediterranean influenced by the Mistral (strong northern wind). This appellation grows traditional Rhone varietals like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Viognier, Clairette or Carignan.

It was declared Appellation d'Origine Controlée in July 2012.