Château de la Gardine
French pronunciation guide
A fourth-generation Brunel family estate with over three centuries of winemaking tradition, producing some of Châteauneuf-du-Pape's most distinctive wines.
Château de la Gardine is a 52-hectare family estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape with Brunel family roots dating to the 17th century. Acquired by Gaston Brunel in 1945 with just 10 neglected hectares, the estate now exports roughly 70% of its production to 30-35 countries. Its iconic asymmetrical bottle, inspired by ancient glass found during cellar expansion, has been in use since 1964.
- 52 hectares planted as a single consolidated block in the northwest section of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- 48 hectares red varieties, 4 hectares white varieties; oldest vines planted in 1925
- Average vine age approximately 45 years
- One of the last estates in the appellation to blend grapes before fermentation
- Produces 4 red and 2 white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines
- Also owns 47-48 hectares in Rasteau and 40-hectare Château Saint-Roch in Lirac
- Approximately 70% of production exported to around 30-35 countries
History and Family Legacy
The Brunel family's winemaking tradition in the southern Rhône stretches back to the 17th century, and the Gardine property itself dates to the early 1700s. The modern estate began in 1945, when Gaston Brunel acquired 10 hectares of war-neglected vineyards and set about restoring them. Over the following decades, the family steadily expanded the holdings to the current 52 hectares. Today, the estate is in its fourth generation of family ownership, with sons Patrick and Maxime Brunel leading operations alongside extended family members.
- Brunel family winemaking tradition dates to the 17th century
- Gaston Brunel purchased the estate in 1945 with just 10 neglected hectares
- Expanded to 52 hectares over subsequent decades
- Now managed by fourth-generation Patrick and Maxime Brunel
Terroir and Vineyards
The estate sits in the northwest section of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, with all 52 hectares consolidated into a single block, a notable rarity in an appellation where vineyard holdings are often fragmented. Soils vary across the estate and include loam, limestone, gravel, the famous galets (pudding stones), Urgonian limestone, red clay, and sandy-clay. The warm, dry Mediterranean climate delivers over 2,800 hours of sunshine per year, with the Mistral wind playing a key role in maintaining vine health by reducing disease pressure.
- All 52 hectares in one consolidated plot in the northwest of the appellation
- Diverse soils: galets, Urgonian limestone, red clay, loam, gravel, and sandy-clay
- Over 2,800 hours of sunshine annually
- Mistral wind moderates the Mediterranean heat and limits disease pressure
Grapes and Winemaking
Red wines are Grenache-based blends complemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Muscardin. White wines draw on Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. The oldest vines on the estate were planted in 1925, and the average vine age across the property is around 45 years. Château de la Gardine is one of the last remaining estates in the appellation to blend grape varieties before fermentation, a traditional practice that sets it apart from most modern producers.
- Red blends led by Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Muscardin
- White blends from Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc
- Oldest vines date to 1925; average vine age around 45 years
- One of the last estates blending grape varieties prior to fermentation
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Look it up →Wines and Iconic Bottle
The estate produces four red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines and two white Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc wines, alongside wines from Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône, and Lirac. Since 1964, all wines have been bottled in a distinctive asymmetrical bottle inspired by ancient glass unearthed during a cellar expansion, making Gardine one of the most visually recognizable estates in the appellation. The Brunel family also owns approximately 47-48 hectares in Rasteau and the 40-hectare Château Saint-Roch in Lirac.
- 4 red and 2 white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines in the portfolio
- Asymmetrical bottle design in use since 1964, inspired by ancient glass
- Also produces Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône, and Lirac wines
- Approximately 70% of total production exported to 30-35 countries
Red Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Gardine is Grenache-driven, offering warm red and dark fruit character with earthy, garrigue, and spice notes from Syrah and Mourvèdre. Old-vine complexity and diverse soils contribute layers of texture and depth. White wines from Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc tend toward richness with floral and stone fruit qualities.
- Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge$35-50The estate's classic red blend showcases old-vine Grenache from northwest appellation soils with Syrah and Mourvèdre.Find →
- Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc$40-55Roussanne-led white blend from 4 hectares of white varieties; rare and textured expression of the appellation.Find →
- Château de la Gardine Rasteau$18-25Brunel family's Rasteau AOC wine offers southern Rhône character at an accessible price point.Find →
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC permits up to 18 grape varieties; Gardine grows Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Muscardin, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne, and Bourboulenc
- Estate covers 52 hectares in a single block in the northwest of the appellation, with oldest vines from 1925
- One of the last estates in the appellation to blend varieties before fermentation, a traditional pre-modern practice
- Also holds vineyards in Rasteau AOC (47-48 ha) and Lirac AOC (40 ha at Château Saint-Roch)
- Distinctive asymmetrical bottle introduced in 1964, inspired by ancient glass found during cellar expansion