The Press
“Fondreche is the reference point for what can be done in the Côtes du Ventoux. This is a source of sensational wines that still sell for incredibly fair prices, and virtually every one of these selections proves that you don't have to drink luxury-priced Bordeaux, Burgundy or Napa Cabernets to experience the multiple joys of wine.”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (February, 2008)
“This high quality domaine has been performing at the highest level for the last dozen years or so and it is unquestionably the most exemplary estate of the Côtes du Ventoux. The wines are fleshy but balanced, always showing lots of finesse thanks to a well situated vineyard on a clay-limestone soil.”
Bettane & Desseauve, Le Grand Guide des Vins de France 2009
“There was plenty to like in a recent tasting of heavy-hitters from the Rhône valley. But, surprisingly, it was the southern Rhône connection in the shape of Sébastien Vincenti of Domaine de Fondrèche and Serge Férigoule of Domaine le Sang des Cailloux which were, relatively speaking, the most impressive. Vincenti’s range of Côtes du Ventoux white and reds (see bottles of the week), made according to biodynamic principles, are really impressive, with dense, aromatic black fruit and great elegance.”
Joe Breen, The Irish Times (March 2007)
About the Winery
Domaine de Fondrèche is today one of the leading domaines in the Southern Rhône. This is a 37 hectare organic domaine producing red, white and rosé wines in the Ventoux AOC and which was created and is run by a mother and son team, Nanou Barthélemy and Sébastien Vincenti.
The vineyard is located on a plateau at the foot of the Mont Ventoux, a hugely important geographical structure in the Southern Rhône that rises to an altitude of 1912 metres above sea level. The mountain not only protects the vineyards from the excesses of the Mistral wind but it also provides much cooler night time temperatures which enable the grapes to retain plenty of natural acidity. The soil is essentially made up of a top soil of clay and loam with a scattering of quartz stones over a limestone subsoil. This type of soil helps retain water in this dry region, and yet provides a good backbone of minerality.
Sébastien’s vineyard management has significantly evolved over the years and he recognises the important impact this work ultimately brings to his wines. He no longer uses pesticides or herbicides and the soil is worked through cultivation. A pragmatic approach is needed to soil cultivation as weeds and cover crops have their uses in cooler, wetter years but obviously not in years when the vine is subjected to water stress. Sébastien’s latest trial is to fence in a herd of sheep in the vineyard at the start of each year and allow them to eat the weeds and to produce organic fertilizer at the same time. Pheromones are used instead of pesticides in order to create sexual confusion amongst the vines’ predators.
Whilst not yet certified biodynamic, Sébastien is certainly moving in that direction. Both in the vineyard and in the cellar everything is carried out according to the lunar calendar and he is starting to use many more of the recommended biodynamic treatments. Sébastien’s fundamental belief is that, although labour intensive, this work ultimately gives him vineyards that have a low pH and soils with just enough organic matter to feed the vines but with good permeability so that the vines have to reach down into the subsoil to look for water. The resulting grapes contain plenty of fruit and mineral nuances but retain low pH levels and good levels of total acidity. The last point is important for his vinification technique where he is able to use lower levels of sulphur dioxide in his fermentations. He has also significantly moved away from harvesting over ripe grapes in order to look for more and more freshness in his wines.