Papes, Clos des
Summary
Clos des Papes, a third-generation family estate founded in 1896 in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, produces red and white wines from 35 hectares of vineyards spread across 24 parcels featuring galets roulés over red clay soils. Under Paul-Vincent Avril's leadership, the estate maintains traditional methods including whole-cluster fermentation and aging in old foudres, while following organic practices across their holdings.
Heritage & Leadership
Clos des Papes was established in 1896 by the Avril family in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Paul Avril initiated the domain's commitment to quality wine production, establishing practices that continue today. The estate passed to Paul Avril (second generation) in the 1960s, who expanded the domain's reach in international markets. In 1988, Paul-Vincent Avril assumed leadership, representing the family's third generation of winemakers. Paul-Vincent trained at several notable Burgundy estates before returning to manage Clos des Papes, bringing technical expertise while maintaining the domain's traditional approaches.
Vineyards & Wines
The estate encompasses 35 hectares divided across 24 distinct parcels throughout Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These holdings include plots in La Crau, Courthézon, and various lieux-dits across the appellation. The vineyards feature the characteristic galets roulés (rounded stones) over red clay subsoils. Grenache dominates the plantings at 65%, complemented by Mourvèdre, Syrah, and other traditional varieties. For white wines, the estate maintains plantings of Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bourboulenc, and Picpoul. Average vine age exceeds 30 years, with some parcels dating to the 1920s.
Philosophy & Practice
Clos des Papes maintains strictly traditional winemaking methods. The estate practices whole-cluster fermentation without destemming. Fermentation occurs in concrete tanks, followed by aging in large old foudres rather than small barriques. The domain earned organic certification in 2010, though these practices were in place long before formal recognition. No filtering or fining is performed, and bottling occurs as a single cuvée rather than separate parcel selections. The estate focuses exclusively on two wines: the red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, maintaining low yields to ensure concentration and expressing the terroir through minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar.