DOMAINE DU GRAND BELLY

On the slopes of the right bank of the Rhône river, the Domaine du Grand Belly is located in the town of Rochefort-du-Gard 15km from Avignon known for its 12th century Pont Saint-Bénézet and it's Palais des Papes du 15th century, as well as 15km from the Pont du Gard dating from the 1st century, all listed as UNESCO World Heritage.

The medieval Mas du Grand Belly which gave the name to the estate dates from the 13th century. It was built by the Italian charcoal makers who once supplied charcoal to the Palais des Papes for Pope Clement V. The estate is steeped in history, since during World War II its isolation made it a hotbed of resistance.

Located in the sunniest region of France, the "Mistral" blows there on average 100 days a year.

It regulates the temperature in the vines, and contributes to the well-being of the crops. The extremely complex clay-limestone subsoil with rolled pebbles dating from the Upper Miocene period (-11 to -5 million years), brings great richness to this atypical terroir.

Today, the Grand Belly vineyard extends over 50 hectares of vines with grape varieties typical of the Rhône valley.

Mr. Jacques BOURRET winemaker with Les Vignerons du Castelas, and owner of the estate, cultivates with respect for the environment and concern for the natural expression of the terroir, of the Syrah, Grenache Noir and Carignan grape varieties to produce a red wine supple and fruity.