Charvin, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Charvin is a small, family-owned estate in the Southern Rhône of France with 21 hectares of vineyards, primarily producing Grenache-dominant wines from their galets roulés-covered parcels in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône. Under sixth-generation proprietor Laurent Charvin, the estate maintains traditional methods including whole-cluster fermentation, concrete tank aging, and minimal intervention, resulting in wines that emphasize balance and terroir expression rather than power.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Charvin stands as a family-owned estate in the Southern Rhône, established in 1851. For generations, the Charvin family has cultivated vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, though they initially sold their harvest to négociants rather than producing estate-bottled wines. The modern era of Domaine Charvin began in 1990 when Laurent Charvin, representing the sixth generation of the family, took control of the estate after completing his oenology studies. Under Laurent's direction, the domaine transitioned to complete estate-bottling of their production, marking a significant shift in the estate's history. Laurent continues to manage all aspects of the domaine today, maintaining a deliberately small-scale operation focused on quality over quantity.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Charvin's holdings comprise approximately 8 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and 13 hectares in Côtes du Rhône. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape parcels are situated in the northern sector of the appellation near the village of Orange, primarily in the lieux-dits of Cabanes and Maucoil. These vineyards feature the characteristic galets roulés (rounded stones) over clay-limestone subsoils that provide excellent drainage and heat retention. The vineyards are planted predominantly to Grenache (approximately 85%) with the remainder divided between Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Vaccarèse. Many of the Grenache vines exceed 50 years of age, with some parcels dating to the 1920s. The estate produces two main wines: Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge and Côtes du Rhône Rouge, with total annual production limited to approximately 2,000 cases of the former and 4,000 cases of the latter.
Philosophy & Practice
Laurent Charvin adheres to traditional winemaking methods, beginning with manual harvesting of all fruit. In the cellar, Charvin practices whole-cluster fermentation without destemming, using native yeasts in concrete tanks. Maceration extends for approximately 21 days, with gentle extraction achieved through daily pump-overs rather than punch-downs. The estate notably avoids the use of new oak, instead aging wines in concrete tanks and large, neutral oak foudres for 18-21 months before bottling without fining or filtration. This approach preserves the purity of fruit and expression of terroir. The domaine follows sustainable farming practices, avoiding chemical herbicides and pesticides in the vineyards. Charvin maintains intentionally low yields, typically harvesting 25-30 hectoliters per hectare in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, well below the appellation's permitted maximum. This production philosophy emphasizes consistency and balance rather than power, resulting in wines that reflect their origin with precision.