An appellation blessed by the wind
MONT VENTOUX is a land of contrasts, a rich and varied landscape just like its wines, a natural environment bursting with life.
WEATHER STATION
Origins
Gallo-Roman history
1939
Union of the Ventoux winegrowers
1973
Appellation recognition
2021
The wind of change
2023 50th
ANNIVERSARY
of the VENTOUX AOC
50 years of commitment in environment and wines.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Our wines are made at the foot of Mont-Ventoux, which culminates at 1912 metres, at the heart of the ecosystem of the Vaucluse Mountains, offering an astounding natural wealth. So, AOC Ventoux is the only appellation with vineyards spread over two Regional Natural Parks: that of Ventoux and Luberon. Mont-Ventoux is also recognised by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.
THE ENVIRONMENT
The natural wealth of Mont-Ventoux is quite simply exceptional. It counts over 1500 plant species. It is also home to the owl of Athena, the totem animal of our AOC, which lives alongside 20 species of bats, 14 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 2500 species of insects, as well as stags, deer, chamois, mouflon, and wild boar.
THE CLIMATE
The climate of Ventoux is one of the coolest microclimates in the southern Rhône Valley. It is a Mediterranean climate influenced by the altitude: alternance of sunny days and cool nights. This amplitude of temperatures is expressed in the fresh and balanced wines of the terroir.
THE CLIMATE
The Mistral wind is intrinsic to the terroir of AOC Ventoux wines. It prevents humidity from settling and cools the parcels which the sun warms for between 2700 and 2900 hours per year.
OUR COMMITMENTS FOR THE CLIMATE
RESEARCH
DEVELOPMENT
LOW CARBON
LABEL CERTIFICATION
PROTECT
BIODIVERSITY
A RICH
TERROIR
The 6000 hectares of vines benefit from the climatic contrasts of the mountains, plains and valleys of the appellation.
And the geological differences surrounding Mont-Ventoux contribute to the richness and diversity of the wines of Ventoux.
A RICH
TERROIR
Mont-Ventoux offers a rare variety of soil types (limestone, clay, sand, marl) presenting a palette of colours ranging from nuances of ochre to white.
This alternance between clay soils and limestone soils gives rise to wines that are sometimes more powerful and sometimes more delicate.
WINES OF EXPERIENCES
AOC Ventoux RED
Exalted freshness
The red wines reveal beautiful garnet colours, and are round, supple, and full of warmth. On the palate, they begin with spicy and fruity notes which evolve towards hints of truffle. They offer an astonishing freshness. A characteristic nervosity which differentiates them from the other southern Rhône Valley wines.
AOC Ventoux ROSE
Enthusiastic indulgence
The rosé reveals a panel of very varied colours ranging from salmon to a stronger pink. The nose is deep and intense with typical aromas of raspberry and cherry, and floral notes that complete the bouquet.
Dense and very round on the palate with a lovely vivacity. The freshness makes these wines a great choice as an aperitif, or to accompany an anchoïade dip or summer salads.
AOC Ventoux WHITE
Confidential audacity
The white wines are pale yellow in colour with beautiful green flecks. The bouquet is characterised by aromas of pear, apple, and citrus fruits, completed by notes of vanilla and coconut.
On the palate, it is the delicacy of the aromas that impresses. The mouthfeel is ample and generous but not heavy. These whites are excellent with green asparagus or a fillet of bream.
HISTORY
A workshop of pottery and dolia (vessels for holding wine), dating back to 30 BC, is the first recorded trace of winegrowing in the region linked to the presence of the Greeks and then the Romans. So, vines have been grown on the slopes of Mont-Ventoux since ancient times. This summit, the highest and most spectacular of all the limestone Vaucluse mountains, dominates and influences the appellation, to which it has lent its name for a very long time.
HISTORY
Like all the French winegrowing regions, AOC Ventoux developed under the impetus of the Church. Between 909 and 970, Don Mayeul, 4th abbot of Cluny, born in Apt, donated his villas to the abbey which planted vines and ensured the continuity of their cultivation in the shadow of Mont-Ventoux. The, from 1309 to 1414, AOC Ventoux wines regularly found themselves on the tables of the popes in Avignon. So, Pope John XXII had a liking for the old, sweet wine of Malaucène, while Pope Urban V discovered the wines of Apt and candied fruits glazed in wine syrup during the council of 1365. And, in 1376, Pope Gregory XI favoured Piémont du Ventoux red and white wines to celebrate an important occasion.
HISTOIRE
It was then the Kings of France who welcomed AOC Ventoux wines onto their tables. In the 19th century King Louis-Philippe chosen the old Grenache wine from Mazan as the wine of his court. M. Julien, historian of vines and wines, places it amongst the best wines of the region, equal to Hermitage "vin de paille" and Muscat de Beaumes de Venise.
HISTORY
The beginning of the 20th century saw the appearance of the notion of AOC (controlled designation of origin). From 1939, the producers of AOC Ventoux wines created a syndicate to promote the quality and character of the wines of Ventoux.
They obtained the VDQS (delimited superior quality wine) label in 1953 before gaining AOC status on 27 July 1973. This consecration is the logical result of several centuries of work and efforts to attain the quality and typicity of the AOC Ventoux wines.
KEY FIGURES 2021
GLOBAL PRODUCTION :
250 000 HL
EXPORT : 25%
BIO : 16%
WINEGROWERS 25%
WINERIES 6%
WINE COOPERATIVE 69%
ROSE 40%
WHITE 6%
RED 54%