Château Pesquié: Family tradition thrives with a rising region
The history of family-owned Château Pesquié, as the winery we know today, began in the early 1970’s when Odette and Rene Bastide came to Mont Ventoux with a dream of crafting quality wine from the region. Coincidentally, the Ventoux AOC was established in 1973, helping pave the way for a family legacy that continues to thrive in the southern Rhône Valley.
Following Odette and Rene, their daughter and son-in-law Edith and Paul Chaudière took over the estate and began tending vineyards with the utmost of care allowing them to gain one of the first FARRE (Forum of Reasoned Agricultural Respecting the Environment) vineyard certifications in France. Edith and Paul began making their own wines in 1990, pushing forward symbiotically with the ascention of the Côtes du Ventoux AOC.
Today, Edith and Paul’s two sons, Alexandre and Frederic oversee the vineyards and winery with a strong focus on organic and biodynamic winegrowing, honouring the intertwined tradition of Chateau Pesquie’s terroir and the Côtes du Ventoux AOC.
The Influence of Mont Ventoux
The estate vineyard can be found in the foothills of Mont Ventoux, which has an undeniable favourable impact on the wines of Château Presquié. The vineyard benefits from plantings situated at 250m-400m above sea level. This altitude, being within one of the coolest micro-climates in the southern Rhone, attributes to the late-ripening of the grapes. This prolonged growing season, coupled with the sunny southern facing slopes of Mont Ventoux, provide the grapes with optimal ripeness while maintaining a freshness derived from the more extreme diurnal shifts found on the mountain. Additionally, these vineyards are kept dry by the viticulture hero of the Rhone - the Mistral north wind. The result of this special terroir are wines that portray an appetizing, charismatic finesse and balance.
Biodynamic farming for ancient vines
Château Pesquié resides within the Mont Ventoux Regional National Park, a UNESCO a Biosphere Reserve as of 1990. Surrounded by the pristine beauty of this site that flourishes with an abundance of flora and fauna, Alexandre and Frédéric Chaudière were inspired to transition their estate from organic to also biodynamic farmed vineyards.
Along with implementing cover crops to produce green fertilizer for their old vines that are around 40 years old, they’ve taken on numerous traditional biodynamic methods that align with the natural environment in a way that cultivates the best wines that represent their vineyard. Using natural gravity flow from the hillside winery, a land-covered cellar, and solar power to generate more electricity than they use, are all examples of the Chaudière family’s commitment to the environment and sustainable practices
Chateau Pesquié’s organic winemaking philosophy goes hand-in-hand with what the Côtes du Ventoux AOC has to offer - a natural landscape with diverse soils and optimal grape-growing conditions for fine wine.
Chateau Pesquié 2022 Edition 1912m, $16.95
This is a certified vegan wine that’s predominately Grenache accompanied by Syrah and small portions of Cinsault from estate vineyards in the Cotes de Ventoux AOC. Unoaked, seeing only time in stainless steel and concrete, it is a pure reflection of its’ Mont Ventoux terroir. Highly aromatic with an exuberant bouquet of florals, red berries, plum, and milk chocolate. Powerful, yet bright, and a silky smooth palate with good acidity bursts with impactful raspberry and vanilla notes. Juicy goodness through and through on the palate as it closes with a hint of cloves and nutmeg on a lip-smacking finish. Terrific value!
Château Pesquié Terrasses Rosé 2023 Ventoux Rhone Valley
From the Terrasses line of Château Pesquié comes this vegan-friendly, dry rosé that opens with an enticing bouquet of white flowers, tart candy, and watermelon. A refreshing, light palate, yet complex and concentrated. Minerality is at the forefront, with mouthwatering notes of blood orange, strawberry, and rhubarb wrapped up in a juicy, citrus acidity. Lively and tempting with a lengthy finish.
Above: Agave by Imperial, Peterborough.
*Chateau Pesquié 2022 Edition 1912m Rouge available at LCBO. Château Pesquié Terrasses Rosé 2021 Ventoux Rhone Valley available through The Vine Agency and participating restaurants.
Sponsored, but as always, thoughts are my own.