Domaine de Villeneuve

In 1993, Philippe de Roy du Bliquy, an advertising mogul from Paris, was on the hunt for some vineyards and stumbled upon the then run-down Domaine de Villeneuve in the northern corner of Chateauneuf-du-Pape close to Chateau de Beaucastel. Together with a good friend, Stanislas Wallut and their families, they began restoring the 8.5ha, using biodynamic practices to heal the vines which are now certified Biodynamic by Ecocert. Only a small amount of vines had to be replanted, which means that nearly all of the vines are now between 30-100 years old. The duo also built a 3-tiered cellar which allowed them to use gravity in vinification. The vines are spread over three distinct terroirs: gravel, rolled pebbles and sand/clay limestone. The age of the vines means the yields are very low, resulting in wonderfully complex wines.