Cave des Vignerons d'Estezargues

Estézargues was established in 1965 and, as early as the 1980s, shifted towards natural winemaking thanks to the arrival of Jean-François Nicq, a talented winemaker influenced by the ideas of natural wine legends like Marcel Lapierre. Nicq (now making wine in his own boutique Domaine des Foulards Rouges in Roussillon) put the cave firmly on track towards respectful farming and practically no additives in the cellar. No commercial yeast, no enzymes, no gum arabic, no acidifiers, and also almost no sulfur. “We use a minimal amount of SO2 at bottling if needed, to make sure the wines are safe even when exported overseas, but that’s it,” says Armelle Rouault, Estézargues’ congenial current CEO and winemaker as we chat on Google Meet, the tasting room of Covid-19 times. - Jenny & Francois

About the Winemaker

Cave des Vignerons d'Estezargues

Estézargues was established in 1965 and, as early as the 1980s, shifted towards natural winemaking thanks to the arrival of Jean-François Nicq, a talented winemaker influenced by the ideas of natural wine legends like Marcel Lapierre. Nicq (now making wine in his own boutique Domaine des Foulards Rouges in Roussillon) put the cave firmly on track towards respectful farming and practically no additives in the cellar. No commercial yeast, no enzymes, no gum arabic, no acidifiers, and also almost no sulfur. “We use a minimal amount of SO2 at bottling if needed, to make sure the wines are safe even when exported overseas, but that’s it,” says Armelle Rouault, Estézargues’ congenial current CEO and winemaker as we chat on Google Meet, the tasting room of Covid-19 times. - Jenny & Francois

The Region

Southern Rhône, France

The Southern Rhône region, located in southeastern France, is renowned for its long winemaking history and exceptional wines. Spanning from the city of Avignon to the Mediterranean coast, the Southern Rhône benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters. The region's diverse terroir, including rocky soils, limestone, and clay, provides an ideal environment for cultivating a variety of grape varieties. Natural winemakers in the Southern Rhône prioritize organic and biodynamic farming methods, eschewing chemical additives and pesticides in favor of sustainable vineyard practices. Classic grape varieties such as Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre are cultivated with minimal intervention to produce wines that express the region's unique character. Southern Rhône's natural wines are known for their bold flavors, rich aromatics, and vibrant fruit profiles, with Grenache offering ripe red fruit flavors, Syrah contributing spicy notes and Mourvèdre adding depth and structure. As the demand for authentic and terroir-driven wines continues to rise, the Southern Rhône remains a cornerstone of the natural wine movement, offering a taste of France's winemaking heritage and commitment to quality with every bottle.