L'Oratoire des Papes winery
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Founded in 1880, L'Oratoire des Papes is one of the classic wine estates in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has long since achieved cult status thanks to its Art Deco label, which has remained unchanged since 1926. The history of the L'Oratoire des Papes wine estate goes back to Edouard Amouroux, who inherited a plot of vines by marriage within an old clos, i.e. an enclosed vineyard near Courthézon. To this day, a priory for monks from Avignon is located at the foot of the vineyard. The building directly adjacent to the Étang Salé de Courthézon was extensively restored in 2014 and houses the winery. In 1926, Edouard's son Léonce Amouroux founded the Maison Amouroux and created the brand and the design of the label, which is still used today. From then on, this wine was called "Clos de L'Oratoire des Papes". The label, which was handmade at the time, was designed during the Art Deco period and is characterised by a corresponding style. It has long since become a trademark in its own right and enjoys cult status.
The vineyard, which belongs to Maison Ogier, has long been managed by Edouard Guerin, who converted the majority of the vineyards to organic farming in 2008. Since 2018, only natural fertilisers from his own cultivation have been used. To this end, a partnership was formed with a neighbouring farmer who supplies the winery with sheep, horse and cow manure. The estate also uses its own compost to intensify the development of clay-humus complexes. Various plant, grass, legume and cruciferous species are sown between the rows of vines in order to deeply penetrate and aerate the soil. The rows of vines are also usually surrounded by hedges, trees, ivy, shrubs, wild asparagus and various other plant species to promote macrofauna and biodiversity. "What we need to produce living, breathing wines are living, breathing soils and carefully tended and well-nourished vines that have not suffered any trauma," says Edouard Guerin. The classic red "L'Oratoire des Papes" is a cuvée of Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, which is matured in large, conical French oak barrels. The much rarer white "L'Oratoire des Papes" consists of an assemblage of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Clairette and Roussanne, 80% of which is matured in concrete eggs and 20% in barriques. The red parcel selection "Cuvée Les Chorégies" from a parcel planted in 1960 with 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre has been available since 2000 and the white "Cuvée Les Chorégies" from Clairette and Bourboulenc from a rare limestone parcel since 2021. This is aged 40% in amphorae and 60% in wooden barrels.
© Images: L'Oratoire des Papes winery
