Meeting Stéphane Vedeau is realizing that you still have so much to learn about wine. He is passionate and a perfectionist. Many of the producers we work with combine these 2 traits. For him, perfection in wine means the true expression of the terroir.
To achieve this, the work in the vineyard is certified organic, the grapes are picked by hand, natural wild yeast cells take care of fermentation, the vats and barrels are filled by gravity and the wines are bottled unclarified and unfiltered. He has been active in the Rhône Valley since 2000, where he is in charge of 3 domains.
We will be highlighting two of them this month: on the one hand, in Valréas Clos Petite Bellane, with a magnificent panoramic view of Mont Ventoux, and on the other, La Ferme du Mont, which carries out a négociant activity at the same location and offers several well-known appellations from the Southern Rhône.
Clos Bellane ~ Valreas
This domain, acquired by Stéphane in 2010, is located at an altitude of 400 meters on the plateau of Vinsobres, south-east of Valréas. Due to its northern location, the grapes can be vinified in such a way that they produce elegant and refined wines. The very calcareous soils provide a fresh structure and complex minerality.
The red wines are mainly made from Grenache and Syrah… the whites are based on Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Clairette.
La Ferme du Mont ~ Valreas
The main reason why Stéphane Vedeau has settled here are the exceptional grounds. These are livelier than the average in the area with a naturally lower pH. The extraordinary natural balance of these fields allows it to extend the hanging cycle of the grapes without producing too rich, heavy wines. This mainly benefits the Grenache, but also Marsanne and other grapes.
The vineyards are traditionally worked with great respect for the environment. Freshness, finesse and complexity are the keywords in his wines, without losing sight of the body and structure. What also promotes the quality is the own wood selection in the forests of Tronçais. He lets the oak dry for 2 years and chooses his own chauffe for the barrels, which gives his wines a very refined wood touch.
Due to the long-term relationship with Burgundy, it is this style of refined and easily drinkable wines that we also continue with this selection in our range.