Vacqueyras, a distinctive appellation at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail
Located in the Haut-Vaucluse, south of the Rhône Valley, Vacqueyras is an authentic Provençal village, shaped by its architectural and winemaking heritage. Its narrow streets leading towards the church, houses built against the old ramparts, the surrounding wall of the former Vassadel seigneurial castle, the Cours Stassart, dry-stone walls, traditional stone huts and wells create a landscape where history and the Provençal way of life naturally intertwine.
The name “Vacqueyras”, or Vaqueiras in Provençal, originates from the Latin Valléa Quadreria, meaning “valley of stones”. This etymology perfectly reflects the mineral nature of its terroir and foreshadows the distinctive character of its wines.
An ancient and enduring winemaking tradition
The first traces of vine cultivation in Vacqueyras date back to the Middle Ages. At the time, the village relied on mixed farming: olive trees, mulberry trees used for silkworm breeding, and, of course, vines. As early as 1414, the first land register of the Comtat Venaissin documented the presence of vineyards in the area. By 1448, taxes were already being levied on grape and wine harvests, demonstrating the economic importance of this production.
Vines have never left Vacqueyras. Today, they are the village’s dominant crop, covering nearly 1,445 hectares of production area in 2024. The Vacqueyras appellation covers two municipalities: Vacqueyras and Sarrians, in the Vaucluse department.
From Côtes du Rhône to Cru status
The administrative history of the appellation reflects its gradual rise in recognition. In 1937, Vacqueyras became part of the Côtes du Rhône appellation. In 1955, it joined the Côtes du Rhône Villages, before being granted the designation “Côtes du Rhône Villages with the name of the commune” in 1967.
The ultimate recognition came on 22 February 1990, when Vacqueyras officially achieved Cru status by decision of the INAO, confirmed by publication in the Official Journal on 15 August 1990. This recognition highlights the uniqueness of its terroir and the consistent quality of its wines.
A Cru in three colours
Vacqueyras is one of the few Crus in the Rhône Valley to produce wines in three colours: red, white and rosé. A land of reds, whites and rosés, the appellation fully expresses the diversity of its terroir through the ancestral expertise of its winemakers, who craft precise blends synonymous with finesse, harmony and balance.
Production is currently divided as follows:
94% red wines
1% rosé wines
5% white wines
A terroir protected by the Dentelles de Montmirail
Protected by the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Vacqueyras vineyards benefit from an exceptional natural environment. Between steep terraces, small wooded hills and vast garrigue-covered plateaus, the vineyard landscape is as diverse as it is spectacular.
The terroir is characterised by a remarkable diversity of soils: rolled pebbles, fine sands, clays, marls, safres, sandstone, gravel and fragments of white limestone. At the foot of the Dentelles, alluvial soils and Riss glacial terraces dominate, with sandy-clay structures interspersed with beds of rolled pebbles on the Garrigues terraces. This geological richness gives the wines remarkable aromatic complexity.
Mediterranean climate and the influence of the Mistral
Vacqueyras has a typically Mediterranean climate, hot and dry, with pronounced seasonal rainfall. Summers are characterised by high temperatures, favourable to optimal grape ripening. The Mistral, the region’s emblematic wind, plays an essential role by keeping the vineyards dry and limiting disease pressure.
This combination of heat, wind and diverse exposures produces powerful wines, always balanced by natural freshness.
The style of Vacqueyras wines
Vacqueyras red wines are primarily based on Grenache Noir, the dominant grape variety, complemented by Syrah and Mourvèdre. They display a deep colour, ranging from bright ruby red in their youth to darker shades in wines destined for ageing.
On the nose, fruit aromas quickly take centre stage: black cherry, blackberry, candied fruit and fig, accompanied by pronounced spicy notes. With age, aromas of leather, game and subtle smoky nuances emerge. On the palate, the wines are full-bodied, powerful and rich, with excellent aromatic persistence and a structured finish.
The rosé wines, beautifully coloured, charm with their fruity and generous bouquet, combining floral notes with wild strawberry.
The white wines, made from Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, display a pale yellow colour with bright reflections. Their floral nose evokes acacia and broom, sometimes accompanied by citrus notes, resulting in elegant and expressive white wines.
An appellation committed to sustainability
Today, approximately 30% of the Vacqueyras appellation’s vineyard area is farmed organically, reflecting the winemakers’ growing commitment to environmental sustainability. The appellation includes 40 négociant houses, 4 cooperative wineries, around 100 independent wineries and 230 winegrowing families, all driven by the desire to preserve and enhance their terroir.
Since 1998, Vacqueyras has also been the official Cru of the Avignon Festival, further strengthening its reputation among an international audience.
The Alain Jaume family and Château Mazane
As part of its approach to showcasing a diversity of terroirs, the Alain Jaume family acquired an emblematic property in Vacqueyras in 2013: Château Mazane.
This 11-hectare vineyard, located in one single block and approximately fifty years old, is planted mainly with Grenache, alongside Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Situated on the garrigue plateau, between the terraces of the Ouvèze and the Dentelles de Montmirail, it lies on stony soils made up of limestone debris from the Dentelles, mixed with clay. Château Mazane produces intense yet refined wines, marked by spicy and garrigue aromas characteristic of the Cru.
The estate has also become a Gîtes de France-certified accommodation, welcoming visitors from summer 2014 onwards to stay in the heart of the vineyards, in a Provençal farmhouse accommodating up to 15 guests and offering a truly immersive Vacqueyras experience.
Between Provençal authenticity, geological richness and winemaking expertise, the Vacqueyras appellation stands out as one of the great Crus of the southern Rhône Valley. Powerful yet elegant, its red, white and rosé wines faithfully express the soul of a terroir protected by the Dentelles de Montmirail, where tradition and modernity come together.
