Charbonniere, Domaine de la
Summary
Domaine de la Charbonnière is a four-generation family estate in the Southern Rhône, managing 16 hectares across four distinctive Châteauneuf-du-Pape terroirs, where Grenache-dominant vineyards span iconic galets roulés, limestone, clay, and sandy soils. The female-led team combines traditional methods with practical innovations, employing hand-harvesting, partial destemming, concrete fermentation, and measured oak aging to create wines that faithfully express their historic terroirs.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine de la Charbonnière was established in 1912 by Eugène Maret, marking the beginning of a family legacy in Châteauneuf-du-Pape that continues to this day. The estate's management passed from Eugène to his son Michel Maret, who guided the domaine through significant development during the latter half of the 20th century. In the 1990s, Michel's daughter Véronique Maret assumed leadership, bringing fresh perspective while honoring the family's winemaking traditions.
Today, Domaine de la Charbonnière operates under the direction of Véronique and her daughters Caroline and Dominique Maret, representing the fourth generation of family stewardship. Caroline oversees vineyard management and winemaking operations, while Dominique handles the commercial aspects of the business. This female-led team has maintained the domaine's reputation for quality while implementing thoughtful refinements to both vineyard practices and cellar techniques.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine de la Charbonnière encompasses 16 hectares of vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with additional holdings in Vacqueyras and other Southern Rhône appellations. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape parcels are distributed across four distinct terroirs: La Crau, characterized by its famous galets roulés (large rolled stones) over clay subsoil; Haute Pierre, featuring limestone and clay at higher elevations; Les Brusquières, with its clay-dominant soils; and Mourre des Perdrix, which contains a mix of sand and clay.
The domaine's plantings reflect the traditional composition of Southern Rhône vineyards, with Grenache dominating at approximately 60% of the red varieties, complemented by Syrah (15%), Mourvèdre (15%), and smaller percentages of other permitted varieties. For their white wines, they cultivate Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. The estate produces a range of cuvées that express the distinctive characteristics of these terroirs, including their flagship Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines and single-vineyard bottlings from La Crau and Haute Pierre.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Domaine de la Charbonnière balances respect for tradition with practical innovation. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with careful sorting to ensure only optimal fruit enters the winery. Depending on the vintage and cuvée, the team employs partial destemming, adapting the percentage based on the characteristics of each harvest.
Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled concrete tanks, allowing for precise management of extraction and preservation of fruit character. The aging program varies by wine, with their top cuvées spending 12-18 months in a combination of oak barrels (both new and used) and concrete vessels. This measured approach to oak influence aims to complement rather than dominate the expression of terroir.
In the vineyards, the Maret family employs sustainable farming methods, focusing on maintaining soil health through careful cover crop management and limiting chemical interventions. Their viticultural practices emphasize low yields and optimal ripeness, with particular attention to canopy management that balances sun exposure with protection from the region's intense summer heat.