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CHATEAU LA CROIX DES
PINS
| A
Comtadine* residence dating from the 16th century. It
belonged around that time to a prelate of the pontifical government
which had its headquarters in Carpentras, capital of the Comtat for 7
centuries. The Italian origins of these people led them to re-create, at the foot of le Ventoux, villas in the style of their Tuscan background. This is probably why the Croix des Pins has an interior chapel dating from the end of the 16th century and an imposing pergola comprising 40 pillars in Caromb stone leading from the house to the spring and the lake. In 1735 the property was acquired by a Mr Quinquin, an apostolic lawyer, and remained in the family until 1989 when Philippe and Marie-Helene AVON bought it from their cousins. The house is situated in the centre of the domaine. It is surrounded by pleasant grounds, is generously shaded and has an excellent view across to Mont Ventoux and the neighbouring hills and villages. Of the 35 hectares, there are 26 hectares of vines, entirely replanted between 1950 and 1952. The varieties are typical of a southern vineyard and are pruned in the “gobelet” style with yields between 30 an 35 hl/ha: Black: grenache, cinsault, carignan, mourvedre and counoise White: clairette, grenache blanc, bourboulenc, ugni-blanc and carignan blanc Some 16th century wine vats suggest that this is a very old vineyard. An olive grove, several hundred years old, and 5 hectares of woods complete the domaine, which is the preserve of the local hunting club. Lying on the edge of the “biosphere nature reserve of Mont Ventoux” (a site classified by UNESCO), concern for this environment guides the working practices within the vineyard: organic agriculture (Ecocert certified), natural treatment of effluents, regeneration of a lake recorded in a 15th century register, construction and landscaping according to the values of the heritage together with consideration for the Mediterranean flora and fauna. The cellar itself, built in 1995 has a capacity of 1600 hl, enough to make and store at least one year’s red wine. The tanks for vinification and elevage are of natural concrete and those for intermediate storage are of fibreglass. Bottling and packaging in done by Philippe. Harvesting is by hand. The bunches of grapes are sorted in the vineyard and put into the tanks whole, neither pressed nor destalked. The wines are well structured, fruity and can be kept for 5 to 10 years (depending on the vintage). Numerous medals and references in the various specialist guides over the past 10 years have recognised the quality and typicity of the wines of Chateau la Croix des Pins. Marie-Hélène and Philippe AVON will be happy to welcome you and help you discover, in an environment rich in history and traditions, the wines (Tradition and Prestige) that they make with the greatest respect for nature. |
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