Nestled in the renowned Cru Lirac appellation, just minutes from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine du Tau is one of the Rhône Valley’s most compelling estates. Created in 2021 by founder Thierry Chapusot alongside longtime friends and experts Bruno Ramirez and Jean-Luc Maldant, the Domaine brings together old vines, exceptional terroirs, and a winemaking team grounded equally in tradition and modern precision. With parcels ranging from sandy soils to pebbly gravels and clay-limestone, and vines aged 10 to 85 years, the estate is deeply rooted in some of the Rhône’s most expressive landscapes. Their meticulous farming, parcel-by-parcel harvesting, and commitment to environmentally responsible practices have already yielded remarkable results—most notably the 2023 Azenor, crowned Wine of the Year France at the 2025 Asia Wine Ratings.

In an interview with founder Thierry Chapusot, we take a deeper look into the philosophy, craftsmanship, and international ambitions shaping Domaine du Tau.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Domaine du Tau combines “respect for tradition and modernity.” How does this duality manifest in your winemaking and business approach?

It is very important for us to respect the terroir and continue the traditions of our region, but at the same time, we must also take advantage of the possibilities of our time, which allow us to be more precise in winemaking, for instance. It is also essential to create wines that appeal to today’s consumers, and therefore to listen to and analyze their demands and tastes. This is why we have a range of wines that appeal both to young people, thanks to their fruitiness and lusciousness, and to lovers of fine dining.

You often describe Domaine du Tau as a “place with soul.” What elements give your estate this distinctive sense of soul?

First and foremost, this estate was created under the banner of friendship. I want to emphasize that we didn’t take over an existing estate; it’s a completely new creation, established at the end of 2021. We did, of course, purchase the vines, which range from 20 to 82 years old, situated on exceptional terroirs. But beyond that, we had to build the estate from the ground up in every aspect: technical, marketing, commercial, you name it. Our primary objective was to enjoy ourselves and to craft high-quality wines to share with wine lovers. Wine is a complex field, made up of numerous details, all of which are important. And for us, it’s exhilarating to constantly strive for improvement.

Congratulations on winning Wine of the Year France at the 2025 Asia Wine Ratings. How do you intend to leverage this award on the international stage, especially in emerging fine wine markets such as Asia?

This award for Wine of the Year France at the Asia Wine Ratings 2025 is an honor for us and very important for raising our profile in Asia. The cuisine of various Asian countries is refined, and our wines are perfectly suited to complement it. Indeed, our range offers aromas of red and black fruits, as well as spices and garrigue, which harmonize beautifully with Asian dishes.

What message would you like this award to communicate about Azenor and about French wine innovation more broadly?

Azenor is an approachable wine thanks to its refined profile of red fruit, offering freshness and a touch of sweetness. We wanted to appeal to all generations, so we positioned it at a very reasonable price to ensure it wouldn’t be a barrier for younger wine lovers.

The Domaine spans 16 hectares and works with both AOC Lirac and Vin de France plots. How do these different terroirs and grape varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Tempranillo, Carignan) contribute to your blending philosophy?

Thanks to our Vin de France vineyards, we have far fewer constraints in the specifications and therefore much more freedom, which has allowed us to achieve our goal in creating the Azénor cuvée. Our various plots in the Lirac AOC offer us a very interesting range of terroirs for creating very subtle and distinct cuvées. We have plots with clay-limestone and rolled pebbles, sand and rolled pebbles, and some surrounded by woods. Blending our different grape varieties with vines ranging from 20 to 82 years old on these different plots allows us to produce subtle and distinct wines that enhance the terroir with fine, silky tannins and a beautiful length on the palate.

Domaine du Tau has earned the High Environmental Value certification and is transitioning to organic viticulture. How do sustainability and environmental responsibility fit into your long-term vision for the estate?

Everything originates from the vine, and respecting the plant is essential to continuing to produce our wines in the long term. We are very careful to use organic products and to minimize the use of products like copper sulfate, which are permitted in organic farming, but we want to avoid introducing copper into our soil as much as possible. We work our soils without any chemicals and encourage grass cover between the rows of vines to maintain biodiversity and keep our soil healthy. Sheep graze between the rows of vines, reducing our dependence on mechanic help, as well.

The winning wine has been praised for its bright acidity, graceful finish, and elegant red fruit profile. What were the key decisions that contributed to this wine’s success?

We opted for a rather original blend with a base of Grenache and Syrah, complemented by 10% Carignan, which brings a lovely acidity, and 10% Tempranillo, which contributes notes of strawberries, cherries, and red fruits with silky tannins. The sandy soil and rolled pebbles lend suppleness and roundness.

The inclusion of luxury rooms for guests hints at a focus on wine tourism. What kind of experience do you want visitors to have at Domaine du Tau?

Wine is a way of life, and we want to welcome our guests in style, in a traditional Provençal setting with a warm and friendly atmosphere, yet also offering all modern comforts. We are renovating a former 19th-century country house in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which will soon offer five beautiful bedrooms, tasting rooms with French-style ceilings, and a cellar for aging our most prestigious wines.

What are your immediate and long-term goals for international expansion, particularly in Asia?

Our estate is young, and our initial market was naturally France, but we now export to various European countries. Asia is a very important future market for us because our wines pair perfectly with Asian cuisine.

The Asian wine market is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with growing appreciation for nuanced, terroir-driven wines. What do you believe will resonate most with Asian wine professionals and consumers about Domaine du Tau?

Our Azenor cuvée impressed the Asia Wine Ratings jury, which is already a strong indication that our wines are worthy of Asian wine lovers. Our wines are fresh, with red and black fruit aromas, and also offer notes of spice, garrigue, and licorice. Our tannins are fine and silky, with a very long finish. These are all excellent qualities that will appeal to Asian wine professionals and consumers.