Clos du Caillou

Le Clos du Caillou boasts a unique terroir, with nine hectares of vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and forty-four hectares in Côtes-du-Rhône. Originally a hunting reserve, the estate's refusal to participate in the 1936 delimitation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape has resulted in its vines being classified as Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, despite sharing identical soil characteristics with neighbouring Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards.

The vineyard’s sandy and pebbly soils impart distinct qualities to the wines. The sandy soils, especially in lieux-dits like 'Les Cailloux' and 'Les Cassanets,' encourage early grape maturation and contribute to the wines' finesse and elegance. Meanwhile, the pebbly soils of 'Les Cassanets' and 'Les Garrigues' add depth and complexity.

Clos du Caillou’s winemaking approach involves destemming grapes and lengthy fermentations starting with a cold soak, resulting in Châteauneuf-du-Papes that are rich, aromatic, and powerful. These wines, alongside the domaine’s meticulously crafted Côtes-du-Rhônes, exhibit a natural finesse and freshness, balancing their intensity and ensuring they are never overripe. The estate's commitment to organic practices since 2010, and recent ventures into biodynamic farming, underscore their dedication to quality and sustainability.