Domaine La Boutinière Experts in Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Finest Terroir
Originally founded by prominent grower Félix Vidal and his wife, Eugénie, Domaine La Boutinière is a renowned winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has been crafting exceptional wines since 1920. But it wasn’t until 1982 when the first official bottling under the La Boutinière name came to be: the Cuvée Tradition Rouge, crafted by Eugénie’s granddaughter Hugette and her husband, Gilbert Boutin. This complex expression of some of the most exciting lieux-dits in the district signaled a new dawn for the family — and, for lovers of fine Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Today, fourth-generation winemaker Frédéric Boutin and his wife Nathalie are at the helm, assisted by their daughter Amélie. Together, they’re stewarding Domaine La Boutinière into the future. Upon their galet-studded, sandy soils (and across eight of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s storied lieux-dits, including the famed La Crau plateau), the family grows 10 of the 18 permitted Châteauneuf varieties. The painfully low yields from these prestigious sites produce allow Frédéric to lavish meticulous attention on his wines in the cellar.
The Boutins have invested heavily in sustainability and proudly hold France’s stringent HVE-3 certification, with full organic certification soon to be granted. Additional investments in winemaking technology — including their state-of-the-art concrete tulip- and egg-shaped fermenters, further refining their vinification processes — signal their unyielding commitment to quality. A commitment that is evident from a single sip of their remarkable, handcrafted wines.
Terroir
Located in the southern Rhône Valley, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of France’s most historic and highly lauded wine regions. With its warm Mediterranean climate, Châteauneuf experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. The region’s soils are pebbly and sandy, formed mostly of ancient riverbeds. Domaine La Boutinière’s vineyards grow at an elevation of 120 meters / 394 feet on clay and limestone soils covered in the region’s famous galets roulés, large quartz pebbles that trap the sun’s heat and radiate to the vines at night. These conditions yield intensely ripe, concentrated grapes that, in turn, yield the powerful, full-bodied style of wines for which Châteauneuf-du-Pape has become prized across the world.
Viticulture
Domaine La Boutinière cultivates 11 hectares / 27 acres of vineyards in eight different parcels across the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape lieux-dits of La Crau, Le Boucoup, Les Marines, Le Bois de la Ville, Valori, Coste-Froide, les Plagnes, and Le Grand Pierre. The Boutin family practices organic farming techniques in all their vineyards and proudly holds France’s stringent HVE-3 certification, with full organic certification soon to be granted.
The Boutins grow 10 of the 18 grape varieties permitted in the region, and the average age of their vines is 70 years old. For the Grande Reserve wines, they select grapes from a 100-year-old parcel of extraordinary vines in the famous terroir of the La Crau plateau vineyard site.
Meticulous, Modern Winemaking in Châteauneuf
Along with expertise passed down through the generations, the Boutins have added modern innovations to their winemaking repertoire. These include equipment (such as state-of-the-art concrete tulip- and egg-shaped fermenters) and techniques (like punching down and load shedding). While specific winemaking processes vary, long fermentations of 18 to 31 days and permanent control of vinification temperatures allow the La Boutinière team to craft wines with rich colors, supple tannins, and precise expressions of their remarkable terroirs.
