The history of the Château des Tourettes
A new beginning for this Luberon castle
THEChâteau des Tourettesis a very beautiful property located in the heart of theLuberonin the department ofVaucluseIn 1997, the coupleMaineAndJean Marie Guffensacquired the château. The famous winemaker from the Mâconnais region,Jean-Marie Guffensis also the owner ofGuffens-Heynen Estateand of theMaison Vergetin the Mâconnais region, and recently fromChâteau Closiotin Barsac. The couple, passionate about nature, fell under the spell of the beauty ofLuberonand the incredible terroir of this region. When they arrived, the property was dilapidated, the vines very poorly maintained due to all the chemical inputs they had received. Subsequently, they restructured almost the entire vineyard to showcase the terroir through massal selection plantings. The vineyard now covers 19 hectares of healthy vines. The couple's production is primarily focused on white wines, complemented by a small production of red.
The Luberon terroir
White wines are in the spotlight, but red wines are too.
The vineyard ofChâteau des Tourettesis located a few kilometers from Apt in theVaucluseDespite the intense heat of this region, the vines benefit from a refreshing coolness throughout the year. Indeed, the vineyards are situated at an altitude of 420 meters, which promotes cool temperatures, ideal for vine growth. The vines are planted in rich, limestone soil. Facing north, they experience relatively cool nights. The altitude and cool nights result in grapes that ripen slowly and with remarkable freshness. This is evident in the tasting; the wines are very attractive, full of character, and offer a beautiful balance. The grape varieties found in this vineyard are quite atypical for the region. For white grapes, there are Chardonnay, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier. For the production of red and rosé wines, Syrah, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon are used. Recognized as a producer of white wines, theChâteau des Touretteshas diversified and now produces fine bottles of red wine.
The expertise of Jean-Marie Guffens
Wines known throughout the world
The vineyard work is done by hand, especially the harvest. In the winery, the first step takes place: pressing. This involves selecting the first juice from the grapes, which preserves the fruit's vibrant acidity. The wine is then aged in oak barrels or concrete tanks. The coupleGuffensThey chose to bottle their wine with a Stelvin screw cap, which allows the wine to retain all its freshness. The advantage of this cap is that it preserves and maintains the quality of the wine thanks to its airtight seal and perfect protection, preventing external agents from entering. They also chose not to have an appellation and to offer wines inFrench wineThis allows winemakers to break free from the constraints of appellation specifications and let the unique terroir of theChâteau des TourettesThese wines possess a true identity; they reflect the terroir, and this is evident in the glass. They are wines with a perfect aromatic balance!
Jean-Marie Guffensis very well known for its famous white wines of theMâconnais, and is beginning to be so with those of theLuberonThe vintages ofChâteau des TourettesThey represent some of the most seductive and daring wines of the south. He and his wife are gradually extending their expertise to other regions. Their talent is admired worldwide, and they are cited among the finest wines in the world.
