Château Romanin
We have a profound respect for the land and employ fully biodynamic practices: an art that harnesses the life forces of nature to create exceptional products.
Brigitte San Quirce, the owner of Château Romanin, takes us on a tour of the estate: a cathedral whose dogma is an unwavering respect for nature.
Utter peace and quiet.
As the chain of the Alpilles (the low Alps) mountains rises before us, a glider lands silently in the field to our left. We travel the last kilometre aboard the jeep before reaching our final destination: Château Romanin, located between Saint Rémy-de-Provence and Eygalières.
On getting down from the Jeep, we are immediately engulfed by scorching summer heat and a breeze laden heavy with the scents of the surrounding nature.
Inhaling deeply of Provence, we are left feeling almost dizzied. Places capable of capturing the gaze and enveloping the soul with such intensity are rare indeed.
Château Romanin, no mere wine producing estate, but rather a temple, a cathedral; a place of worship, dedicated to a singular and powerful dogma: respect for nature.
The winery is invisible to the naked eye. The result of unprecedented engineering work on a massive scale, it is nestled deep within the very mountain itself, almost as if it had been part of it since the very dawning of time. It rises from the bowels of the earth, where it conceals its most precious secret. A secret as precious and unforgettable as our tasting of Le Coeur Rouge 2016 will be.
Château Romanin Le Coeur Rouge 2016 is the signature red from Château Romanin. Try it now together with the winery's other fine wines.
At the entrance to the winery, we are met by Brigitte San Quirce, the owner of Château Romanin, ready to accompany us on our visit.
Shaking hands with Brigitte is an honour. Her posture, her person and elegant bearing exude a disarming confidence and pride. When speaking with her, one senses how incredibly attached she is to this place and how much she wants its story to be told and appreciated.
The winery’s story began in 1988, when the investor, Jean-Pierre Peyraud, and Jean-André Charial, the owner of the Relais & Château L'Oustau de Baumanière, decided to buy the land and build the Château Romanin Winery according to a vision that was pioneering at the time: biodynamic cultivation.
The work was entrusted to the architect Serge Henneman who, in line with the same approach, also considered the motion of the stars, the summer and winter solstices, the movements of the Sun and those of the Moon in the project’s design.
The materials, used here in a more contemporary guise, echo those of the ancient 13th-century Templar castle overlooking the current entrance: wood, cement and steel.
In 2006, Château Romanin was bought by Brigitte's parents: Jean-Louis Charmolüe, former director of the family estate Château Montrose, and his wife Anne-Marie Charmolüe.
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Our visit begins inside the vast hall where the estate's white wines are vinified.
Brigitte tells us that Château Romanin is not just a wine-producing estate: it is a sanctuary where nature, history and passion all come together in perfect harmony. The vineyard, surrounded by unspoilt vegetation and kissed by the Mediterranean sun, is a true paradise for wine lovers. However, what makes the experience at Château Romanin truly extraordinary is its oenological philosophy.
We have a profound respect for the land and employ fully biodynamic practices: an art that harnesses energies and life forces to create exceptional products. – Brigitte tells us. A method that translates into a history of links between the cycle of Nature, the vine, the climate and the work of man, combined with the demanding techniques of agronomy. Here, chemical herbicides are categorically forbidden.
Listening to this mantra, I begin wondering what the wines produced according to such a rigidly followed biodynamic philosophy could possibly hold in store. I am both intrigued and excited by the array of forces at work here.
The 58 hectares of vineyards from which 200,000 bottles are produced are protected on the northern slopes of the Alpilles; encircling the estate, they literally cling to the ancient rocks of the Templar castle itself.
The geological configuration and the exceptional upward currents lend remarkable depth to the estate's red, white and rosé wines. To further enhance the microclimates of the Alpilles, parcel vinification is adopted following an obligatory manual harvest.
On entering the cathedral-cellar, we are awestruck.
The structure standing before us is so mysterious and so entrancing that it seems like something straight out of a fantasy tale.
The orientation of this astronomical cellar was chosen in accordance with the earth's magnetism and in resonance with the spirit of the place,' - notes Brigitte.
In an imposing Gothic style, with its arches, capitals and sculpted columns, it has an influence on the characteristics of the estate's future great wines. The layout of the barrels in the space, the shapes, the volumes of the cellar are totally in line with the biodynamic philosophy.
No image could ever do this place justice.
I’m eagerly waiting to taste the fruits of so much self-sacrifice and hard work.
However, before we proceed to the wine-tasting, we visit the heart of Château Romanin: the spot Serge Henneman, the architect, had identified as the fount of energy and which had convinced him to excavate the mountain to create this hidden temple.
As we ascend the spiral staircase leading up to the very summit of the estate, we notice a worked-metal disc set into the floor at its base. This is the precise point which, during the winter and summer solstices, is struck by the light of the moon and the sun, transmitting energy to the earth, the estate and the wine.
The very epicentre of things.
Astounded by so much information, we are joined by Brigitte to taste her wines and embark on a sensory journey through centuries of winemaking tradition.
Selecting the most surprising labels for us was no mean feat.
Grand Vin Rouge 2018.
The Syrah and Mourvèdre varieties impart character and finesse to this wine, which is aged for at least 18 months in vats and barrels in the heart of the cathedral cellar. The 2018 Château Romanin Rouge displays an intense ruby red colour in the glass, anticipating the richness and depth of its aromatic bouquet. Intense notes of ripe berries are revealed on the nose, enriched by spicy and floral nuances that lend it complexity and elegance.
In the mouth, this wine reveals an impeccable balance between softness and structure. Flavours of black fruit combine harmoniously with hints of vanilla and black pepper, while the long finish delivers a lingering and satisfying aftertaste.
Grand Vin Blanc 2021.
The Grand Vin Blanc varieties - Rolle, Roussanne, Grenache blanc and Clairette - embody concentration, complexity and finesse. The wines mature in stainless steel tanks on fine lees for eight months with bâtonnage. Notes of white flowers, citrus and white peach emerge on the nose, which is followed by a subtle touch of herbs and spices. In the mouth, the wine displays a lively and mineral freshness, with a perfect harmony between acidity and softness. The persistent finish leaves an unforgettable aftertaste, inviting you to take another sip.
Le Coeur Rouge 2016.
A wine only produced in truly outstanding years. Le Cœur, whose first vintage dates back to 1998, is aged in new barrels made of wood from the forests of the Allier in France. What makes it so special is its ability to capture the spirit of the terroir of Château Romanin.
Le Cœur 2016 is a pure, unadulterated expression of Provençal elegance and refinement. 2016 was an exceptional year for the region, characterised by optimal climatic conditions that allowed the grapes to reach their full maturity and yielding wines of extraordinary complexity and concentration. A structured, noble and deep wine. A pulsating red heart. Incredible!
Those fortunate enough to taste it will be swept away on an unforgettable sensory journey through the breath-taking landscapes and irresistible flavours of Provence.
A visit to the Château Romanin winery is so much more than a wine tour; it is a journey through history, tradition, ambition and a veritable passion for wine.
Through its dedication to sustainable production and exceptional quality, Château Romanin is affirming itself as a hidden gem in Provence, ready to enthral and delight wine lovers the world over.
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