Domaine de L’ Abbé Dîne

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Nathalie Reynaud took over lately the family estate which is dating back to 1880 when the first parcel was planted by her great grandfather near Chateau Rayas, by the lieu-dit “les Bedines” which was classified in 1936 with the first appellation-controlled map drawing of chateauneuf du Pape. 

The name Chateauneuf du Pape means “pope’s new castle” and refers to when the seat of the roman Catholic Church was in Avignon in the 14th century.

The 40 acres vineyard has been since managed by the Reynaud family over five generations, but the grapes were historically sold to local negociant houses. 

In 2012, Nathalie started to produce her own bottling under the label Chateauneuf du Pape label “’Abbé Dine”. 

Abbé dine was the name of the first parcel acquired in 1880 by her family (the name originates from a local priest who during the religion war was giving mass service in exchange for food and wine). 

PHILOSOPHY

 

The vineyards are covered with large stones and these stones absorb heat during the day and then radiate it over the night, to the benefit of the grapes. 

The presence of clay underneath the stones mixed with sandy limestone provides a source of humidity for the vines. 

This type of soil is locally known as “safres” and tends to bring a supple texture and soft tannins to the wine.

The youngest planted are thirty years old vines and the oldest ones are one hundred twenty years old, the average is about seventy years old vines.

Vines that age have deep roots that allow them to resist the heat in summer.

 

The local wind, known as Mistral, is fierce and constantly blowing through the vineyards, greatly reducing humidity and the need to fight pests such as mildew.

These are ideal conditions to practice reasonable farming, limiting the use of pesticides. Nathalie leaves the weeds in the rows to protect from erosion and use sexual confusion tools for pest control.