KNOWLEDGE
THE VINEYARDS
Edouard Guerin, Technical Director at Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes, is committed to cultivating the vines with the upmost respect for nature and the environment. The vines used to produce the wines of Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes are carefully preserved thanks to gentle and most importantly natural cultivation practices.
Since 2008 the vines have been cultivated using organic methods. 80 to 90% of the quality of the finished wine is determined by the vineyards. In order for the vine to remain in well nourished, in good health and well exposed, this precious terroir is cultivated using the most respectful cultivation practices possible. Although man cannot influence the deeper structure of the soil, what he can do is intervene in almost all other parameters in order to ensure the highest quality possible in the finished wines.
THE SOILS
The soils are of the upmost importance as this is where the vine delves deep in order to nourish itself with water and minerals.
For the last 4 years, and on a part of the vines producing the grapes that go into the cuvées, we have decided to definitively cease the use of organic fertilizers permitted in organic agriculture with the aim of using its own 100% natural fertilizers instead. In order to do so, a partnership was formed with a neighboring farmer for the supply of sheep, horse and cow manure. On average 7 to 10 tons of manure compost are provided every 3 years. This well balanced and complete fertilizer contains all of the necessary components for the growth of the vine as well as all the trace elements it requires. Furthermore, this compost is rich in micro-organisms which ensure the strong microbial life (fungus and bacteria) needed for the proper functioning of the soils. It imparts a unique texture to the soils and encourages the development of clay-humus complexes. Well nourished and living soils result in well nourished grapes which in turn give rise to living, breathing wines.
THE VINE
The vine is at the very core of our craft as this is what determines the quality of the fruit
As part of the continuous quest for excellence at Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes, a massal selection approach is used in the vineyards. The vines are produced from vieille vigne stocks selected for their intrinsic quality and high genetic variability. The heterogeneity of these parcels imparts complexity and depth to the finished wines. The plants are grafted by hand using the English cleft grafting method. This technique ensures better sap flow in the plant compared to classic omega grafting methods. And in order to guarantee an in-depth savoir-faire, the pruners receive training on how to preserve desiccation cones, prevent pruning wounds and respect the sap flow in the plant.
‘What we need in order to produce living, breathing wines is living, breathing soils and a carefully nurtured and well nourished vine that has not suffered any kind of trauma.’ Edouard Guerin
THE CELLARS
A PLACE UNLIKE ANY OHTER
VINIFICATION CELLAR OF WHITES
For those wanting to discover our vinification cellars for the white cuvées, step into the Priory and wind your way down the stairs before first passing through the vinification cellars for the cuvée Les Chorégies. You will then find yourself in front of a cast iron gate and must follow the very same path as the monks did, through a tunnel carved into the 18th century sandy rock. As you near the end of this secret passageway the cellars come into view housing eight tulip shaped black concrete vats which are used solely to vinify what is one of the appellation’s most renowned white wines.
A wine with a strong personality revealing exceptional freshness and a pleasant bitterness imparted by the limestone soils of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
The harvests are carried out early and exclusively by hand in order to retain the wine’s natural acidity and freshness.
Once the grapes arrive in the cellar they are pressed delicately as whole clusters. This gentle ‘champagne style’ pressing technique lasts for 7 to 8 hours rather than the average 2 hours. The process involves pressing and de-compacting the grapes then pressing them again with the aim of extracting the purest juices possible.
Vinification takes place 80% in eight tulip-shaped concrete vats and 20% in 300L new oak barrels. The egg-like form of these tulip vats creates a gravitational movement (known as ‘the vortex phenomenon’) which helps to keep the lees suspended naturally, without stirring, thereby developing the wine’s aromatic potential.
The Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes white is aged in cellars carved 6 meters deep into the rock. They ensure optimum and perfectly stable temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year. 80% of the wine is aged in concrete vats and 20% in French oak barrels. The wines are aged on their full lees with stirring carried out solely for the barrel aged wines. The final blend is composed in springtime, somewhere between March and early May depending on the vintage.
Some of the red cuvées are vinified in our cellar situated within the Priory building and is composed of 11 truncated vats made of French oak with a capacity of 75 and 100hl.
The quintessence of the appellation’s 4 terroirs in a Grenache based blend.
This wine is made from grapes grown in rolled pebbles soils, red clays, limestone fragments and sandy soils and is vinified with the utmost respect for winemaking traditions.
The use of co-fermentation during the vinification process is a further example of our savoir-faire in combining several different terroirs in the same vat. The objective of blending together varietals grown in different soil types in order to reveal the impact of these terroirs which are so unique in Châteauneuf-du-pape. For example the Syrahs planted in clay soils balance out the limestone soil Syrahs. The combination of rolled pebbles and sandy soils is really what makes this cuvée so iconic. Rolled pebbles are the signature of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and are known for the intense, vinous character and notes of stewed fruits that they impart to the wine. The sandy soils, on the other hand, are generally regarded as producing a more delicate style of wine with silky tannins, black fruits and exceptional finesse.
Thanks to this process of co-fermenting different varietals and different soil types, the tasting experience promises a well crafted alchemy between purity of fruit, silky tannins and depth of character. Cap punching carried out during vinification gives rise to a rich texture and silky mouthfeel.
The first twelve months of ageing takes place in oak tuns followed by pre-blending in concrete vats for 6 to 9 months. The wines therefore spend two winters being aged in order to give them their natural stability, smooth texture and delicate mouthfeel. They are bottled in springtime when temperatures are in the region of 15°C.
The Clos de l’Oratoire red can be enjoyed in its youth or kept in the cellar for at least a further 8 to 10 years and as long as 15 years for the finest vintages.
VINIFICATION CELLAR OF LES CHORÉGIES
The semi-underground vinification cellar for our parcel selection cuvée ‘Les Chorégies’, is carved into the sandy rock itself and comprise 8 tuns with a capacity of 18.7 hl each. They are truly unique and Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes is the only one in the appellation to possess such a receptacle.
The harvests are carried out by hand and the clusters are sorted with precision. The Grenache is conserved as whole clusters and gently crushed. The Syrah is partially de-stemmed and extracted delicately by daily pumping overs.
Les Chorégies sont vinifiées exclusivement en foudre de 18,7hl. Cette plus grande surface d’échange entre la pellicule et le jus permet d’apporter de la structure et une belle complexité.
‘Our 18.7hl tuns enable us to maximize the surface area for exchange between the skins and the juices thereby imparting greater structure and complexity to the wine.’ Edouard Guerin
As a result of the maceration that takes place in these tuns, the solid matter (skins, pips, stalks) remains submerged in the wine. The shape of these tuns prevents the marc cap from being in contact with oxygen and instead it remains permanently submerged resulting in a slow and delicate infusion.
This is followed by alcoholic fermentation which lasts between 8 to 10 days at temperatures of around 28°C to 30°C. The vatting period can last for as long as 7 weeks which allows us to create wines with such soft, delicate tannins and excellent length, tension and balance.
Pressing is carried out using a small vertical press with pneumatic piston which ensures high quality and pure press wines which are most often blended with the free run wine afterwards.
The wines are aged for 12 months in French oak tuns and then 8 months in concrete vats before being left to rest in the bottle for at least 18 months.
With the precision and skill of a choirmaster, Edouard Guerin is in full control throughout every stage of vinification and ageing in order to ensure unrivaled finesse and complexity in the finished wine.
‘I am fortunate to be able to work together with our teams, in both the vineyards and cellars, to go above and beyond with each new year and create wines that are deeper, more living and breathing than ever before.’
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
EDOUARD GUERIN
Edouard grew up with his family in the Drôme Provençale region and enjoyed a childhood that was swayed by the seasons, picking apricots in summer and almonds in autumn time.
It was always very frustrating for him when he had to get back to school just as the harvests were getting started. His father and grandfather has already succeeded in instilling in him their passion for wine and the vine at this early age.
Edouard did not enjoy school although he was certainly intelligent enough to know what he wanted to do with his life. He enrolled in Agronomy studies at the Lycée du Parc in Lyon which paved the way for him attending the ENSAIA college in Nancy where he qualified with a degree in agronomy engineering. He was a very bright student, capable of working towards several different goals at the same time, and somehow managed to graduate with a diploma in Viticulture and Oenology from the Montpellier Agronomy School in the very same year. He completed his National Diploma in Oenology in 2005.
Edouard is curious, ambitious and has always been interested to know what is being done ‘elsewhere’.
In 2007 he moved with his family to Cappadocia in Turkey where he spent five years working as technical director for Maison Turasan, a grape producer and merchant. The indigenous varietals and unique terroirs of this region enabled him to discover the true extent of his talents.
His thirst for knowledge and technical expertise led him to Australia where he worked as general manager and then technical director for Maison Chapoutier Australia up until 2013.
He missed France’s terroirs and so the opportunity to join Maison Cazes in Roussillon was one that he couldn’t turn down. He therefore began working as technical manager at Clos de Paulilles upon his return to France.
When he joined Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2015 it was as if he had found his calling, as if he was finally coming home. The Maison had plenty of interesting projects in the pipeline and great ambitions for the future which suited him down to the ground. The unique terroirs of the Rhône Valley were like an exciting playground for Edouard in his role as Technical Director.
Edouard is now able to give free rein to his passion and savoir-faire in the vineyards and cellars. His artistic talents are palpable when tasting of each and every one of the wines from Clos de l’Oratoire des Papes.
‘I am fortunate to be able to work together with our teams, in both the vineyards and cellars, to go above and beyond with each new year and create wines that are deeper, more living and breathing than ever before.’