Exploring Rhône Valley Terroir
The wines of Domaine Rouge-Bleu are deeply influenced by the terroir of the Southern Rhône Valley, particularly the unique environment of Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes. This page explores how the local climate, geography, and soil composition – especially the red garrigues soil – give our wines their distinct character and complexity.
The Village of Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes
Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes is a picturesque Provençal village set in the heart of the Rhône Valley, where winemaking traditions run deep. The village enjoys a sunny Mediterranean climate with warm summers, gentle winters and the famous mistral wind that sweeps through the valley, cooling the vines and keeping them healthy. This idyllic setting, surrounded by rolling vineyards and set against the backdrop of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountains, is where our wines are born, taking on the expression of this vibrant land.
The Red Garrigues Soil: The Soul of Our Vineyard
One of the defining features of our terroir is the red garrigues soil – a mix of clay and limestone that is rich in minerals and iron giving it a distinctive reddish hue. This type of soil is scattered with stones, known as “galets roulés,” which play a crucial role in the vineyard. During the day these stones absorb the sun’s heat and at night they slowly release it, helping the grapes ripen to perfection. The garrigues soil also retains just enough moisture to nourish the vines, encouraging deep root growth which in turn enhances the concentration and minerality of our wines.
Old Vines and Terroir-Driven Flavors
Our vineyard is home to old vines some of which were planted over a century ago with roots that extend deep into the red garrigues soil. This deep rooting allows the vines to draw up unique minerals and nutrients, adding layers of flavor to our wines. The age of our vines and their interaction with the soil contribute to concentrated, nuanced wines that showcase the true essence of the Rhône Valley. The red garrigues’ mineral-rich composition imparts a distinctive depth and structure to our reds, like the Dentelle Rouge and Mistral, adding vibrant fruit flavors, gentle tannins and a hint of spice.
The Terroir’s Expression in Each Wine
Every cuvée we produce is a reflection of our terroir. The combination of Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes’ climate and the red garrigues soil creates wines with freshness, elegance and balance. Our Dentelle Blanc reveals delicate notes of citrus and stone fruit, while the Lunatique cuvée embodies the full power and finesse of our old Grenache vines, influenced by the warmth of the stones and the richness of the soil. Through minimal intervention and biodynamic practices we capture the pure expression of this unique terroir in every bottle.
By nurturing our vines, creating a thriving ecosystem and respecting the natural balance of our environment our aim is to produce wines which we feel reflect the beauty and authenticity of Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes and the Rhône Valley.
Our Wines & Gin
We are organic certified, mostly composed of old vines and our wines are vinified in the pure tradition of the Rhône Valley, exuding the concentration and typicity of the terroir they originate from.
The diversity of the Rouge-Bleu vineyard coupled with our passion and devotion to making wine is reflected in the expression of our cuvées. Read more about us here.
- Natural wine
- Deep rooted aged vines
- Biodynamic principles
- Vinify without destemming
- Wild yeast
- Minimal sulfur
Our wines are available worldwide!
