A Story of Men!

Cru Lirac is an exceptional terroir, located just a few kilometers from Châteauneuf du Pape and is one of 9 Cru zones of the Côtes du Rhône Méridionaux.

Three experts have joined forces by acquiring 16 hectares of parcels of old vines in the Cru Lirac commune of Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres.

Passionate about the traditions and world of wine, and an innovative entrepreneur for 40 years, Thierry Chapusot has established the new Domaine du Tau with these parcels.

Thierry is collaborating with his expert friends:

Bruno Ramirez, Cellar Master, has 30 years of experience in both viticulture and winemaking in several Châteauneuf du Pape estates. Bruno is the man of the land, and has dedicated his life and skills to the vineyards in the Côtes du Rhône.

Jean-Luc Maldant, a Burgundian and owner of Domaine Maldant-Pauvelot in Chorey les Beaune, has experience of over 40 harvests.

Aiming for nothing less than excellence, the Domaine du Tau is also being advised by the renowned oenologist Gérald Lafont, who originates from Saint-Laurent-des-Arbres, and is a highly respected connoisseur of Cru Lirac wines. Gérald is doubly qualified: scientifically as an oenologist, and practically, as a winemaker of his own family estate.

The Domaine du Tau has essential variety in its terroirs, with sandy soils, pebbly gravels and some clay-limestone soil.

Almost all the Domaine du Tau parcels are located in Cru Lirac, and are planted with Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise and Cinsault varieties.

The vines are between 10 and 85 years old.

Harvesting only commences when the fruit reaches ideal ripeness, and this is managed for each parcel and grape variety. The berries are tasted, and tested, until they reach optimum acidity and sugar.

The estate is certified High Environmental Value by the French ministry of Agriculture, a certification which aims to identify and promote particularly environmentally-friendly practices.

The different terroirs and grape varieties enable these winemakers to create elegant and gourmet cuvées in a real alchemy.