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For two thousand years, this hilly, heavily wooded massif has provided an ideal environment for viticulture.

The local wine-growers have carefully defined its borders, retaining only the best plots. These scale the hillside row by row for 750 hectares, in a landscape rich in both flora and fauna.

In his time, naturalist and entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre chose the Massif d’Uchaux to conduct his research and observations. Uniquely for the southern Côtes du Rhône region, the vines here are planted directly in the bedrock, drawing their nutrients from the red sandstone soils enriched with elements of siliceous clay.

They produce only red wines which reflect this unusual environment; these are redolent of red berry fruits (raspberry and strawberry) with delicate floral notes (rose, violet). But their individuality, their naturally fresh and delicate qualities, shine through on the palate. Elegant, vibrant tannins balance beautifully with the spicier flavours of cinnamon and nutmeg, while a good level of acidity ensures they will keep for a short time before serving.

Massif d’Uchaux

History

2005
2005

Birth of AOC Côtes du Rhône Villages Massif d'Uchaux

The history of viticulture in the Massif d’Uchaux area dates back to Roman times, when the Via Agrippa stretched all the way from Lyon to Arles. Historical sources confirm that sales of wine were already permitted in the commune of Mondragon in 1290, while taxation on wine first appeared in the 15th century - proof that even then, wine was an important commodity. Part of the Massif d’Uchaux winegrowing area was awarded Côtes du Rhône appellation status in 1937; in 1983, this was upgraded to Côtes du Rhône Villages, and in 2005 was extended to include the whole Massif d’Uchaux area.

View the decrees granting appellation status (INAO)
Geography

Geography

The appellation spans the communes of Lagarde- Paréol, Mondragon, Piolenc, Sérignan-du-Comtat and Uchaux, in the Vaucluse.

Climate

The climate is largely Mediterranean. Vines are grown on heavily wooded slopes at altitudes ranging from 100 to 280 metres.

Soils

A particular geology 

The soils of the Massif d’Uchaux were formed in the Upper Cretaceous, in the late Secondary. They consist primarily of pebble-rich limestone. Silico-calcareous sandstone gives the appellation wines their distinctive character. The vineyards are planted on hillsides, largely south-facing, with excellent sun exposure; the stony ground stores heat, promoting vine growth and ripening.

Water supply is well-balanced, developing good flavour in the grapes. Biodiversity is an important issue for the appellation’s winegrowers, reconciling winegrowing with safeguarding the region’s natural fauna and flora, and plays an important part in shaping the unique character of this terroir.

Key figures

Key figures of the appellation

100% red

Colors

36 hl/ha

Average annual yield

197 ha

Production surface area

7 103 hl

Total production

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Inter Rhône - Key Figures 2021

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