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Domaine de la Solitude

“Located in the heart of the appellation, in the La Solitude lieu-dit, just on the western edge of the La Crau plateau, Domaine de la Solitude has been in the Lançon family for generations (the estate was created in the 17th century). Today, the winemaking reins are in the hands of the young, yet incredibly talented Florent Lançon, who has a green thumb when comes to growing just about anything (ask to see his greenhouse if you visit!)”
– Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate


Our Story

 

CHÂTEAUNEUF ALIVE WITH HISTORY

François BARBERINI, born in Tuscany in 1264, lived in Provence for a few years. The best known, MAFFEO BARBERINI apostolic nuncio in Paris from 1604 to 1606, was made Pope in Rome under the name of URBAIN VIII. Two of his nephews became cardinals and a part of the family then settled down in Avignon. They were not well remembered in Rome. They were accused of destroying antique monuments to recycle construction materials in order to build their luxurious palace. Hence the saying “Quod non fecerunt Barbarifecere BARBERINI” (That have not done, And the barbarous people, have acted, BARBERINI) In Chateauneuf du Pape, in 1604, Jean BARBERINI had his name frenchified to BARBERIN. His granddaughter, Hélène BARBERIN married Claude MARTIN owner of a vineyard.

Domaine de la Solitude vin AOC Côte du Rhone was established in the 1970s, with the estate being run by Jean and Michel Lançon.

The three hats on the label refer to two bishops and a pope among the forefathers. A medal from Napoleon after Waterloo given to one of the family adorns the label: The three bees on the label is a family weapon from the Middle Ages.”

In more modern times, Domaine de la Solitude has been turned around by Florent Lançon, receiving numerous top accolades and being named amongst Jancis Robinson’s favourite Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers. The 86ha holdings are farmed without fertilisation, and the wines are destemmed, unfined, unfiltered and gravity fed, with grapes and plots vinified separately.

The estate is also old enough that they have their own lieux-dit, ‘La solitude’, which has been farmed by the same family for 400 years.

 


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