OUR ROOTS
The domain finds its name in the dry-stone-built shelter standing strong even in the midst of extreme weather conditions of summer and harshness of winter :
LA CABOTTE
In love with Provence and the wines of the Rhone Valley, Gabriel d’Ardhuy, renowned vine-grower and owner of the Domaine d’Ardhuy in the Burgundy region acquired a property in 1981 of some 45 hectares all in one piece at the heart of the Massif d’Uchaux, in the North-East of the Vaucluse Department (County) in the Southern Côtes-du-Rhone hinterland.
He entrusted this property to Marie-Pierre, one of his 7 daughters.
VINYARD
A first-choice terroir for Grenache : it’s on these soils that it manages to best express all its aromatic and phenolic potential.
Our plot is situated on the north-side of the appellation at the place-named : Palestor.
It is an ancient plot more than 70 years old planted with Grenache.
As was custom, the dead stocks were replaced by one of the 13 possible grape varieties authorised in the Appellation.
We have conserved this practice and today we recognise 8 different varieties in the plot.
The Grenache associated with Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, Counoise, Vaccarese for the reds and white Grenache and Clairette allow us to attain all the originality of this “Grand Cru”.
In order to conserve the richness of this plot, its genetic heritage and the complexity brought by the old vine-stocks, all soil-work is carried out using animal traction.
The horse allows us to work much more meticulously than the tractor by avoiding at the same time injury of the old vines and compacting of the soil.
