Château Pesquié & WLTV – winning ways.
Ξ July 30th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ A Day at a Time, International Terroirs, Winemakers, Wineries |
On 23rd June this year Gary Vaynerchuk had a guest on Episode 491 of his regular WLTV show – Frédéric Chaudière of Château Pesquié in the Côtes du Ventoux with two of his wines for tasting, the 2004 Quintessence and Cuvee Artemia.
This wasn’t the first time the Château has been mentioned on the show, its 2003 Quintessence was featured in Episode 200, but this time Frederic was there in person with a special announcement – a competition where 4 lucky winners would spend a week in September working in the vineyards and at the winery. A month later and Episode 506 rolled around with the results of the competition – 1 winner each already picked by Frédéric (Laura Gellman) and Gary (Heather Weid), and two random picks “live” on the show.
Gary dug deep to pull out…Karl Laczko…. yes, yours truly (honest, it’s me – Greybeard’s not my real name you know!). Of course I was travelling at the time so didn’t find out for another day, but watching the show back again I heard the surprise in the voice of long-time WLTV producer and cameraman Chris Mott! Fourth out of the hat was Susan Spaulding, and again Gary was thrilled that another long-term “Vayniac” was picked (Susan and I have been loitering around WLTV and its forum for years now; I guess you can call us old-timers!).
I have since recovered from the shock and all the winners are working out with Frédéric the logistics of getting to the Ventoux for that September week, a once in a lifetime experience that I am looking forward to as much as anything else I’ve done in recent memory. This is an opportunity to experience first-hand the day to day life, good and bad, of working the harvest and getting a vintage ready, and to do this in the beautiful surroundings of Southern Rhône is a bonus. In preparation for the trip, and to set the scene for the Reign of Terroir article that will undoubtedly follow, here is some background on Château Pesquié and what we lucky 4 have set ourselves up for.
In 1985 Edith & Paul Chaudière took over the family property outside Mormoiron, 15 miles northeast of Avignon. They spent the next 4 years improving the vineyards, continuing on from Edith’s parents, Odette & René Bastide, who had bought the Château in the early 70s, before the Côtes du Ventoux received Appellation status in 1973.
After attending the Université du Vin in Suze-La-Rousse and the Wine Institute in Orange (where Paul’s father, Charles, was professor of oenology) they set up the Château Pesquié winery in 1989 – previously they had supplied their grapes to a local co-operative – and produced their first first vintage in 1990, at a time when the number of independent wineries in the region was in single figures. The reigns of the Château passed to the younger generation in the early years of the millennium with Paul’s nephew, Renaud Chaudière and his sons Alexandre and Frédéric.
The modern winery and vineyards cover more than 70 hectares and the AOC wines produced are predominantly (>80%) red; the entry level Les Terrasses, the Artemia Red, the Prestige and the renowned Quintessence. Some Rose and white are also produced, including non AOC Viognier and Chardonnay. The winery exports over 60% of its production, 10 times more than average for the region and they have received many press accolades and favourable critic ratings, especially from a certain Robert Parker.
From what I’ve seen and heard so far I think Laura, Heather, Susan and I are in for a fantastic and memorable week, not only for the experience but also for the chance to taste some wonderful wine and enjoy a slice of Rhône life. I also intend to ask Paul and Frédéric about a side venture of theirs I came across researching this piece – the “Rhône Gang”, which appears to be a light-hearted collaboration between Pesquié and some other wineries in the region, Louis Barruol of Château St Cosme, Rodolphe de Pins of Château Montfaucon and Arnaud de la Chanonie of wholesalers and marketing company Avitus. I look forward to meeting a winemaker who enjoys life enough to share the Rhone Gang song!
To quote, it ”is all about having fun, making great wines and never taking oneself too seriously”.
In anticipation, Greybeard.
