Bois de Boursan, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Bois de Boursan is a 16-hectare family estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where Jean-Paul Versino crafts traditional red and white wines from 27 diverse parcels featuring the region's characteristic galets roulés and varied soil types. The domaine maintains time-honored practices including hand-harvesting, whole-cluster fermentation with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats, and aging in large neutral oak foudres—all personally overseen by Versino in a hands-on approach that honors his father's legacy.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Bois de Boursan was established in 1955 by Jean Versino, an Italian immigrant who settled in the Southern Rhône village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The domaine remains firmly in family hands, with Jean-Paul Versino, Jean's son, taking over operations in 1988 after completing his oenology studies. Under Jean-Paul's direction, the estate has maintained its traditional approach while refining techniques to express the distinctive terroirs of their holdings. The Versino family's commitment to preserving traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape winemaking methods has been a consistent thread throughout the domaine's history, with Jean-Paul serving as both proprietor and winemaker, personally overseeing all aspects of production from vineyard to bottle.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Bois de Boursan encompasses approximately 16 hectares divided among 27 separate parcels scattered throughout Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This fragmented arrangement provides access to the appellation's diverse terroirs, including the region's characteristic galets roulés (rounded stones) that store heat during the day and release it to the vines at night. The vineyards feature a mix of soil types including sandy clay, limestone, and the iron-rich red clay found in parts of the appellation. The estate cultivates all 13 grape varieties permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with Grenache (65%), Mourvèdre (15%), Syrah (10%), and other traditional varieties comprising the balance. Many of the vines are old, with some Grenache parcels exceeding 80 years of age. The domaine produces a traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge, a small quantity of blanc, and a special cuvée called "Cuvée des Félix," made from the estate's oldest vines.
Philosophy & Practice
Jean-Paul Versino adheres to traditional winemaking methods that have defined Châteauneuf-du-Pape for generations. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with careful sorting in the vineyard. The domaine practices whole-cluster fermentation, with no destemming, in concrete vats using indigenous yeasts. Maceration typically lasts 3-4 weeks, with manual punch-downs performed regularly. The wines are aged primarily in large, neutral oak foudres ranging from 20 to 50 hectoliters in capacity, allowing for slow oxidation without imparting overt oak flavors. The traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape rouge ages for approximately 18 months before bottling, while the more structured Cuvée des Félix receives 24 months in foudre. Versino employs minimal intervention throughout the winemaking process, avoiding fining and filtering whenever possible to preserve the authentic character of the wines. The domaine's approach emphasizes the expression of terroir through traditional methods rather than modern technology.