Caroline JONES
Originally from Western Australia, winemaker Caroline Jones has worked in various regions of Australia and France, with roles ranging from harvesting and pruning vines to cellar hand, laboratory manager and vintage winemaker.
“My approach to winemaking is to harmonise the modern methods taught in Australia with the traditions and styles of France.”
Here in the southern Rhone region, the unique terroir and local grape varieties create wines of rich primary fruit flavours and depth, which, when augmented by maturation in aged oak barrels, produces wines of elegance, balance and complexity.
Thomas BERTRAND
From the Vosges mountains in the east of France, Thomas spent 12 years in the UK working exclusively in the wine trade. He then worked for one of the major wine estates in Chateauneuf-du-Pape as head of Domestic Sales and Oenotourism. Since 2015, he devote himself fully to Domaine Rouge-Bleu .
“I have been passionate about wine my whole adult life. Becoming a vigneron has been a life-changing experience and an everyday learning curve.”
Thomas is in charge of the vineyards and sales of the Rouge-Bleu wines.
History & Philosophy
Founded in 2007, Domaine Rouge-Bleu has been under current ownership since 2012. Situated in the picturesque Provencal village of Sainte Cécile les Vignes (84-Vaucluse), we are farming 12ha of vines nestled amongst nature. The winery was built in a historical Provençale “mas” (farmhouse) dating from the 17th century which is today the family property.
In the vineyard, one of the Domaine’s particularities is the age of its old vines most of which would probably have been abandoned or replaced. Planted in 1965, 1955, 1934 and 1910 for its oldest parcels, Domaine Rouge-Bleu’s vineyards lie mostly in the Côtes du Rhône Village Sainte Cécile appellation.
Certified organic, the Domaine’s philosophy and practices today extend much further. Inspired by the fundamental principles of biodynamic farming and vinification we favour nature and traditions over farmer’s comfort.
Located beside a natural spring, source of the river Alcyon, we are gifted with both pristine water and fantastic terroir. Our Domaine’s essential goal is to preserve its complex biodiversity and bring it to the world through our wines.
To preserve soil microbial life and indigenous yeasts as well as protect our crop we banish pesticides, herbicides, and all systemic products. Only low level of copper and sulphur are used along with essential oils and natural preparations such as nettle or seaweed teas for the well-being and healthy state of our vineyards.
While Grenache “King of the South” reigns here, we also distinguish ourselves by our rare Carignan vineyards (less than 5% left in the Rhône Valley) essential to the character and unusual freshness of several of our cuvées. We also cultivate Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and 16 different white varieties.
Our vineyards are not irrigated and are 100% hand harvested
In the cellar, we continue these organic principles producing balanced wines recognised by their freshness, elegance, and authenticity. Using traditional porous concrete tanks for most of our vinification and ageing, our reds also benefit from the use of neutral oak (10yo barrels on average/no oak flavours) to tame the force brought by maceration with stems and wild yeast vinification.
Reds are mostly vinified without destemming and all wines see minimal sulphur addition, well below all Organic and Biodynamic authorised levels. Finally, our reds distinguish themselves by their long ageing before release of up to 3 years which is uncommon in village appellations such as ours.
Our vinification methods ensure a long ageing potential to all our wines, even the most modest ones.
Tours & Tastings
The Domaine is making wines with the deepest respect for Nature. Seeking balance in its wines as well as its vineyards from whom emanates the great potential of the SAINTE CECILE terroir.
Our Tours & Tastings are in French and English.
Where to Buy
Our wines are sold directly from the domaine and are also exported all around the world. Check if there is a distributor where you live.
