Chateau de Montfrin

Midway between Nîmes and Avignon on the cusp of two appellations lies Montfrin – an historic château inherited by actor and film producer Jean-René de Fleurieu. There are around 200 acres of land, including farmland, olive groves and 95 hectares of organically farmed vines, yielding Côtes-du-Rhônes, Costières de Nîmes and Côteaux du Pont du Gard wines. The estate is run day-to-day by Benjamin Béguin, who has been working the land here for over 20 years, aided by oenologist Jean Natoli. Jean-René wants the wines to have freshness and elegance, therefore little oak is used, and the emphasis is on the depth of fruit that these warm southern vineyards can offer. There is a relatively high quantity of Roussanne planted, giving the whites a rich, textural feel. Only indigenous yeasts are used in the winemaking and as well as being organic, the wines are also certified vegan. Minimal sulphur is used and a pair of wines, the un coup de dès jamais n’abolira le hasard (“a roll of the dice doesn’t eliminate chance”) red and white are made without any added SO2.