Mont-Redon, Chateau
Summary
Château Mont-Redon is a historic Southern Rhône estate spanning 186 hectares across Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, and Côtes du Rhône, where they craft traditional wines from galets roulés-covered vineyards with vines averaging 40 years old. Their winemaking balances time-honored methods with thoughtful modernization, maintaining all 13 traditional grape varieties while implementing gravity-flow systems and sustainable vineyard practices that honor the region's heritage.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Mont-Redon stands as one of the oldest wine-producing estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with a history dating back to 1344. Historical documents confirm that the property was initially known as "Mourredon," meaning "round hill" in the old Provençal language. The estate changed hands several times over the centuries before the Mathieu family acquired it in 1923. Under their stewardship, Mont-Redon expanded its vineyard holdings and built its reputation in the appellation.
In 1980, the Plantin family took ownership of Château Mont-Redon, marking a significant transition in the estate's modern history. Today, the property is managed by Pierre Fabre, who represents the fourth generation of the family involved in winemaking. Under his direction, Mont-Redon has undertaken substantial vineyard restructuring and modernization of winemaking facilities while maintaining respect for traditional methods that have defined the estate for generations.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Mont-Redon's vineyard holdings span 186 hectares across three appellations in the southern Rhône Valley. The estate owns 100 hectares in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, making it one of the largest single properties in this prestigious appellation. These vineyards feature the region's characteristic galets roulés—large, rounded stones that store heat during the day and release it to the vines at night—alongside sandy soils and limestone subsoils.
The estate's plantings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape include all 13 permitted varieties, with Grenache (60%), Syrah (15%), and Mourvèdre (15%) forming the backbone of their red wines. The remaining 10% consists of traditional varieties including Cinsault, Counoise, and Vaccarèse. Mont-Redon also maintains 35 hectares in Lirac and 51 hectares in Côtes du Rhône, where similar Mediterranean varieties thrive. The vineyards range in elevation from 30 to 120 meters above sea level, with vines averaging 40 years of age, though some parcels contain vines over 70 years old.
Philosophy & Practice
Mont-Redon's winemaking philosophy centers on expressing the distinct terroir of each appellation while maintaining consistency in quality. Harvest is conducted by hand, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. For red wines, the estate employs temperature-controlled fermentation in concrete tanks, with maceration periods lasting 15 to 21 days depending on the vintage and desired style.
The aging process at Mont-Redon follows a structured protocol: their Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds mature for 12 to 18 months in a combination of large oak foudres (70%) and smaller barrels (30%), while the whites see 6 months in oak with regular lees stirring. The estate completed a significant cellar renovation in 2008, introducing gravity-flow systems to minimize pump usage and preserve fruit integrity.
Mont-Redon practices sustainable viticulture throughout its holdings, employing mechanical weed control rather than herbicides and utilizing organic composts to maintain soil health. The estate's approach balances respect for traditional methods with technical innovation, resulting in wines that reflect both their historical roots and contemporary standards of quality.