Domaine Solence (formerly Domaine Terres de Solence) is an organic estate in the Ventoux AOC in the south-east of the Rhône wine region in France. Vaucluse IGP wines are also made.

Founder-Owners: Jean-Luc (b.1964; son of a wine grower, qualified oenologist) and Anne-Marie Isnard (b.1965; daughter of a shepherd at Larzac in the Aveyron, teaches maths in Carpentras, qualified agronomist).

Motto: Motto nihil sine sole [‘nothing without work’].

Background: 1930s: origins of the domaine. Terres des Solences was created in 1992 with 4ha of vines and a rented cellar with the help of three ‘pères’: Bremond, Coulon and Isnard. In 1994 the cellar was built at the lieu-dit Mazan, site of a 13th century Prieuré. In 1996 the caveau (wine shop) opened.

Organic certification: 1995 10ha (C1) Ecocert. 1997: AB for the first time. 1999: 12.5ha (AB) + 9ha (C1). 2003: 18ha (AB) Ecocert (Millésime Bio 2004). 2008: 16ha Ecocert (Millésime Bio 2009).

Biodynamics: Going that way in 2008.

Vineyards: 1992 4ha of family vineyard. 1993 Another 6ha purchased from pére Bremond. 4,000 vines/ha. Later there were 14ha: Jean-Luc wrote this to me: The 14 hectares of the estate today comprise two very distinct geological identities. A part composed of alluvial soils, limestone, well drained, where Syrah, Grenache and Marselan flourish. Another part marked by shallow loamy-clay soils, also colder, suit white and rosé.

Winery, winemaking: Cellar built in 1993. Hand picked. Vaslin press, Coq destemmer. Destemming is only partial for the red. No fining for red. Bentonite for rosé. Small cement and polyester tanks.

White wines

IGP Vaucluse Blanc, Ici et Maintenant: Muscat and Viognier.

Côtes du Ventoux AOC Blanc, Léonides: 1999 Roussane, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier. Crisp, very attractive cool citrus, very refreshing and harmonious (Organic Food & Wine Festival, Royal Horticultural Halls, London, July 29th 2000).

Pink wines

Rosé, Muscadin: Muscat and Cinsault.

Côtes du Ventoux AOC Rosé, Cuvée du Bois des Amants: This is made “in memory of a tree which witnessed tender moments”. Grenache and Cinsault.

Red wines

Côtes du Ventoux AOC Rouge, Cuvée du Prieuré: Named after the Prieuré (St-Donat), the oldest building in Mazan. 1997 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Counoise. A little green, light, lacks a little fruit, 12.5% alc.

Côtes du Ventoux AOC Rouge, Cuvée des Trois Péres: 1997 Older vines than in Cuvée du Prieuré, thus more extract, and alcohol (13.5%).  70% Grenache, 20% Carignan, 10% Syrah. | 1998 Lovely richness and depth (Organic Food & Wine Festival, Royal Horticultural Halls, London, July 29th 2000).

Ventoux AOC Rouge, Cippus: Grenache Noir, Syrah. Selection from clay-limestone.

Ventoux AOC Rouge, Moitié Vide Moitié Pleine: Syrah, Marselan on clay-limestone in the ‘Grand Louis’ vineyard.

Vaucluse IGT Rouge, L’Effect Papillon: Merlot, Syrah.

Contact

Domaine Terres de Solence

Chemin de la Lègue

F-84380 Mazan (Vaucluse), France

Tel+33 (0)4.90.60.55.31 | Website: http://solence.fr/en/home-en/

Agence Bio 2017 SCEA Solence