Bonpas makes southern Rhône reds led by Grenache near Avignon, including Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueyras bottles from a historic Durance site.
The producer
Near Avignon, Bonpas overlooks the Durance River and makes red wines under the Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueyras appellation names. Jean-Luc Durand is the winemaker, and Grenache is the primary grape in the blends. The bottles include Réserve de Bonpas Côtes du Rhône, Bonpas Vieilles Vignes 50ans Côtes du Rhône and Grand Cartulaire Vacqueyras. The site is a historical monument, and the Boisset family restored it to active wine production.
Known for
Southern Rhône reds led by Grenache
Notable facts
Bonpas overlooks the Durance River near Avignon in the southern Rhône Valley.
Grenache is the primary grape and the cornerstone of Bonpas blends.
Jean-Luc Durand is Bonpas's winemaker.
Grand Cartulaire Vacqueyras is made mainly from Grenache Noir with Syrah and Mourvèdre.
The story
Boisset restores Bonpas
In 2003, the Boisset family acquired Bonpas and restored it to active wine production. The site had been designated a historical monument in 1952, and vineyard and olive cultivation became core economic activities at Bonpas from the late eighteenth century. The name Bonpas comes from the Latin bonus passus, meaning 'good passage', a reference to a ford across the Durance River. Jean-Luc Durand is the winemaker, and Grenache is the primary grape and cornerstone of the blends in the southern Rhône Valley.
From the atlas
Bonpas
Bonpas is a southern Rhône producer near Avignon. Its reds are led by Grenache and made at a historic site overlooking the Durance River.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Southern Rhône Valley
Appellations
Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueyras
Main grape
Grenache
Winemaker
Jean-Luc Durand
Defining feature
Site designated a historical monument
The Producer
Jean-Luc Durand is Bonpas's winemaker. Grenache is the primary grape and the cornerstone of the blends. Vineyard and olive cultivation became core economic activities at Bonpas from the late eighteenth century. The Boisset family acquired Bonpas in 2003 and restored the site to active wine production. The site was designated a historical monument in 1952.
Place
Bonpas overlooks the Durance River near Avignon, in the southern Rhône Valley. Its name comes from the Latin bonus passus, meaning 'good passage', and refers to a ford across the river. Bonpas labels its red wines Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueyras. These appellation names place the bottles in the southern Rhône, while the producer name refers to the Durance site.
Wines
Bonpas's red range includes Côtes du Rhône and Vacqueyras. It contains two Côtes du Rhône bottlings, Réserve de Bonpas Côtes du Rhône 2024 and Bonpas Vieilles Vignes 50ans Côtes du Rhône. The range also includes Grand Cartulaire Vacqueyras.
Réserve de Bonpas Côtes du Rhône 2024 combines 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for approximately three weeks. The wine then ages for 8 months in stainless steel and concrete tanks. Grand Cartulaire Vacqueyras is made mainly from Grenache Noir, with Syrah and Mourvèdre. Its fermentation uses light pump overs and lees stirring. Lees are the fine yeast sediment left after fermentation. Stirring it back into suspension adds roundness to the wine.
In The Glass
The Réserve smells of forest raspberry, white pepper and violet. Its Grenache led composition carries concentrated fruit with soft, rich tannins. The Vacqueyras is garnet coloured with purple hints. It shows red berries, mild spices, garrigue and black stone fruit, with silky tannins. The Vieilles Vignes bottling is nuanced, spicy and fruity, with oak, blackberry, black pepper, plum, bay leaf, raspberry and licorice.
Final Word
Bonpas makes southern Rhône reds with Grenache at the centre, from a site near Avignon overlooking the Durance River and designated a historical monument.