France · Rhône Méridional

Domaine de Fontenille

Lauris domaine making dry Luberon rosé from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre.

The producer

Domaine de Fontenille is a domaine in Lauris under the Luberon AOP. Its vine growing records date back to 1638, and the property was revived in 2013 by Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher. Fontenille Rosé is a dry rosé made from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Stony clay limestone soils, sunny hillsides and the mistral shape the vineyard setting, while the grapes are directly pressed after morning harvest and destemming before cold settling.

Known for

Dry Luberon rosé

Notable facts

The story

The 2013 Revival

In 2013, Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher revived Domaine de Fontenille after a period of dormancy. They converted the vineyards to organic farming and developed a Relais & Châteaux hotel restaurant. The estate also received a gravity flow winery combining traditional and modern techniques. The earlier record of vine growing dated to 1638. After the revival, the property brought together organically farmed vines, a gravity flow cellar and a hotel restaurant under the Fontenille name.

From the atlas

Domaine de Fontenille

Lauris domaine in the Luberon AOP, making Fontenille Rosé from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre.

At A Glance

FieldDetail
ProducerDomaine de Fontenille
PlaceLauris, Luberon AOP
Signature wineFontenille Rosé
StyleDry rosé
Vineyard practiceOrganic farming

The Producer

Records of vine growing at Domaine de Fontenille date back to 1638. The current domaine has organically cultivated vines in Lauris under the Luberon AOP. Fontenille Rosé is a dry rosé made from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre.

The property was revived in 2013 by Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher. Their restoration included conversion to organic farming, a gravity flow winery combining traditional and modern techniques, and a Relais & Châteaux hotel restaurant.

Place

Stony clay limestone soils on sunny hillsides reveal minerality and provide the ripeness conditions for the grapes. The mistral protects and ventilates the vines. The domaine is in Lauris, and Fontenille Rosé carries the Luberon AOP name, a regulated appellation that puts the place on the label.

Wines

Fontenille Rosé is a dry Luberon rosé at 13.5% alcohol. The blend is 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Cinsault and 10% Mourvèdre.

After the morning harvest and destemming, the grapes undergo direct pressing and static cold settling for at least 48 hours. Sulfites are present at less than 30mg/L.

Final Word

Domaine de Fontenille's current wine is a dry Luberon rosé from Lauris. In the glass, Fontenille Rosé begins with an enveloping round attack and rises to a finish marked by acidity and minerality.

Sources

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