Vacqueyras

Vacqueyras, a Characterful Appellation at the Foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail Located in the Haut-Vaucluse, in the southern Rhône Valley, Vacqueyras is an authentic Provençal village, shaped by its rich architectural and wine-growing heritage. Narrow streets leading to the church, houses built against the old ramparts, the remains of the fortified walls of the former seigneurial château of the Vassadel family, the Cours Stassart, dry-stone walls, traditional stone huts and wells all form a landscape where history and the Provençal art of living blend naturally. The name “Vacqueyras,” or "Vaqueiras" in Provençal, comes from the Latin "Valléa Quadreria", meaning “valley of stones.” This etymology perfectly reflects the mineral nature of its terroir and foreshadows the strong personality of its wines. An Ancient and Unbroken Winegrowing Tradition The earliest traces of vine cultivation in Vacqueyras date back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the village relied on mixed farming: olive trees, mulberry trees for silkworm breeding, and, of course, vineyards. As early as 1414, the first land registry of the Comtat Venaissin recorded vineyards within the territory. By 1448, taxes were already levied on grape and wine harvests, demonstrating the economic importance of wine production. Vineyards have never left Vacqueyras. Today, winegrowing is the village’s main agricultural activity, with nearly 1,445 hectares under vine in 2024. The Vacqueyras appellation area extends over two communes: 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 was included in the Côtes du Rhône appellation. In 1955, it became a Côtes du Rhône Villages, before obtaining the designation “Côtes du Rhône Villages with village name” in 1967. The ultimate recognition came on 22 February 1990, when Vacqueyras was officially granted Cru status by the INAO, confirmed by publication in the French Official Journal on 15 August 1990. This distinction highlights the uniqueness of its terroir and the consistent quality of its wines. A Cru in Three Colours Vacqueyras is one of the rare Rhône Valley Crus to produce wines in all three colours: red, white and rosé. A land of reds, whites and rosés, the appellation fully expresses the diversity of its terroir thanks to the ancestral expertise of its winegrowers, who craft precise blends known for their finesse, harmony and balance. Current production is divided as follows: 94% red wines 1% rosé wines 5% white wines A Terroir Sheltered by the Dentelles de Montmirail Protected by the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Vacqueyras vineyard benefits from an exceptional natural environment. Between steep terraces, small wooded areas and vast garrigue plateaus, the winegrowing landscape is both diverse and spectacular. The terroir is characterised by a wide variety of soils: rounded pebbles, fine sands, clays, marls, safres, sandstones, gravelly soils and fragments of white limestone. At the foot of the Dentelles, alluvial soils and Riss glacial terraces dominate, with sandy-clay structures interspersed with layers of rounded pebbles on the Garrigues terraces. This geological diversity gives the wines remarkable aromatic complexity. Mediterranean Climate and the Influence of the Mistral Vacqueyras enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate: hot and dry, with marked seasonal rainfall. Summers are characterised by high temperatures, ideal for optimal grape ripening. The mistral wind, emblematic of the region, plays a key role in maintaining vineyard health by reducing disease pressure. This combination of warmth, wind and varied exposures produces wines that are powerful yet balanced by a 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 hues in wines destined for ageing. On the nose, fruit aromas emerge quickly: black cherry, blackberry, candied fruits or fig, accompanied by pronounced spicy notes. With age, hints of leather, game and subtle smoky nuances develop. On the palate, the wines are structured, powerful and generous, offering great aromatic persistence and a well-defined finish. Rosé wines, attractively coloured, charm with their fruity and indulgent bouquet, combining floral notes with wild strawberry. White wines, made from Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, show a pale yellow colour with bright highlights. Their floral aromas evoke acacia and broom, sometimes complemented by citrus notes, resulting in elegant and expressive white wines. A Committed Appellation Today, around 30% of the Vacqueyras appellation is farmed organically, reflecting the growing environmental commitment of its winegrowers. The appellation includes 40 wine merchants, 4 cooperative wineries, approximately 100 independent estates and 230 winegrowing families, all driven by the desire to preserve and promote their terroir. Since 1998, Vacqueyras has also been the official Cru of the Avignon Festival, enhancing its international reputation. The Alain Jaume Family and Château Mazane As part of this dynamic approach to showcasing diverse terroirs, the Alain Jaume family acquired an emblematic property in Vacqueyras in 2013: Château Mazane. This 11-hectare single-block vineyard, around fifty years old, is planted mainly with Grenache, alongside Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Located on the Garrigues plateau, between the terraces of the Ouvèze River and the Dentelles de Montmirail, it rests on soils composed of limestone debris from the Dentelles mixed with clay. Château Mazane produces wines that are both intense and refined, marked by spicy and garrigue aromas characteristic of the Cru. The estate has also become a Gîtes de France certified accommodation, allowing visitors since summer 2014 to stay in the heart of the vineyard, in a traditional farmhouse that can host up to 15 guests, and to fully experience the spirit of Vacqueyras. Conclusion Combining 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 meet.