Domaine Charvin
How to say it
Six generations of Châteauneuf-du-Pape tradition, whole-bunch fermented and aged without a single piece of wood.
Domaine Charvin is a certified organic, sixth-generation estate producing traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape from vines averaging over 50 years old. Laurent Charvin has managed the domaine since 1990, making just one red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, built on roughly 80% Grenache. The estate is one of only five producers awarded three stars by the RVF Green Guide as of 2023.
- Founded in 1851 by Guillaume Charvin; first estate bottling came in 1951 after a century of bulk sales to négociants
- Laurent Charvin, sixth generation, took over management in 1990
- 8.2 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 13 hectares in Côtes du Rhône, and 2 hectares in Vin de Pays
- Average vineyard age exceeds 50 years, with the oldest vines approaching 80 years
- Whole-bunch fermentation in concrete vats, no destemming, and no wood aging
- Production is approximately 2,500 cases of Châteauneuf-du-Pape per vintage
- One of only five Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers rated three stars by the RVF Green Guide as of 2023
History
Domaine Charvin traces its roots to 1851, when Guillaume Charvin established the estate. For the following century, all harvests were sold in bulk to négociants, a common practice of the era. The family took a pivotal step in 1951 by bottling their own wine for the first time. The modern chapter of the domaine opened in 1990 when Laurent Charvin, the sixth generation of the family, assumed management and shaped the estate's current identity.
- Founded 1851 by Guillaume Charvin
- First estate bottling in 1951 after 100 years of bulk sales
- Laurent Charvin took over in 1990 as sixth-generation winemaker
- White wine production began in 2015
Vineyards and Terroir
The estate holds 8.2 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 13 hectares in Côtes du Rhône, and 2 hectares in Vin de Pays. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape parcels sit on north-facing sandy slopes, which produce a cooler microclimate than is typical for the appellation. Soils vary across the holdings, encompassing sandy soils with clay clusters, limestone and clay soils, and areas strewn with rocks and stones. Vine age is a defining asset, with an average of over 50 years and the oldest parcels approaching 80 years.
- North-facing sandy slopes create a cooler-than-average Châteauneuf-du-Pape climate
- Soils include sand with clay clusters, limestone and clay, and rocky terrain
- Average vine age over 50 years; oldest vines nearly 80 years
- Certified organic across all holdings
Grapes and Winemaking
Grenache dominates the blends at approximately 80%, supported by Syrah, Mourvèdre, Vaccarèse, Carignan, Clairette Rose, and Bourboulenc. The domaine produces just one red Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine, keeping the range deliberately focused. Whole-bunch fermentation in concrete vats, with no destemming, is the defining winemaking choice. No wood of any kind is used for aging, preserving the purity and freshness of the Grenache-led fruit. White wine production is a more recent addition, launched in 2015.
- Approximately 80% Grenache in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend
- Whole-bunch fermentation with no destemming in concrete vats
- No wood aging at any stage of production
- Only one red Châteauneuf-du-Pape produced per vintage
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Open in the app →Recognition and Organic Credentials
Domaine Charvin holds certified organic status and has earned three stars from the RVF Green Guide, placing it among only five Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers to achieve this distinction as of 2023. Annual production of Châteauneuf-du-Pape sits at around 2,500 cases, keeping the wines scarce relative to demand.
- Certified organic across the entire estate
- Three-star rating from the RVF Green Guide as of 2023
- One of only five Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates to achieve RVF three-star status
- Around 2,500 cases of Châteauneuf-du-Pape produced per vintage
The Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine Charvin reflects its north-facing, sandy terroir with a cooler, more restrained profile than many appellation peers. Grenache provides the foundation, offering red and dark fruit with a characteristic freshness. Whole-bunch fermentation and concrete aging preserve aromatic lift and structural precision without the influence of oak.
- Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône$18-25Entry-level expression of Charvin's whole-bunch, no-oak style from 13 hectares of Côtes du Rhône vines.Find →
- Domaine Charvin Châteauneuf-du-Pape$70-90The sole red Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the estate; 80% Grenache, concrete-aged, from vines over 50 years old.Find →
- Domaine Charvin holds certified organic status and is one of only five Châteauneuf-du-Pape producers rated three stars by the RVF Green Guide as of 2023
- The estate produces a single red Châteauneuf-du-Pape, built on approximately 80% Grenache, with no wood aging at any stage
- Winemaking is defined by whole-bunch fermentation with no destemming, using concrete vats throughout
- White wine production began in 2015; grapes grown include Clairette Rose and Bourboulenc alongside red varieties
- Founded 1851; first estate bottling 1951; sixth generation Laurent Charvin took over in 1990; average vine age exceeds 50 years