Chateau Pesquie
Now in the capable hands of third-generation grape growers Fred and Alex Chaudière, Château Pesquié comprises 100 hectares of vines across the mineral-rich soils of the Ventoux, which lies at the southern edge of the Rhone Valley. Only organic treatments and composts are used in the vineyard. Weed control is done by turning over the soil, and harvesting is done by hand. There are three main terroirs on the property: rocky limestone clay, red clay and loamy gray clay. They grow Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Roussanne, Clairette, Viognier, Chardonnay and Muscat. Their most common and diverse plantings are of Syrah and Grenache, each chosen specifically for their soils and exposure. Fortunately, the Ventoux has a cooler micro-climate than the vineyards near the Rhône so Fred and Alex can be guaranteed a longer and slower ripening of their fruit – especially important for these two varieties. The age of the vines ranges from 20 to well over 80 years old.