Mora's Fine Wine & Spirits Spotlight: Domaine Gour de Chaule – A Southern Rhône Treasure!

EAST SETAUKET, N.Y. - EntSun -- A Legacy Rooted in Gigondas

Domaine Gour de Chaule's story begins in 1900, when Eugène Bonfils planted the seeds of what would become a multigenerational family estate in the heart of Gigondas — a storied appellation within the Southern Rhône Valley. For decades, the estate's production was sold in bulk to negociants. It wasn't until the 1970s that Rolande Beaumet, Eugène's daughter and grandmother of the current proprietor, Stéphanie Fumoso, began bottling the family's own wine for private clients.

Under the stewardship of Aline Bonfils in the early 1980s, estate bottling was significantly expanded. She passed on to her daughter Stéphanie a belief that Grenache is the heart and soul of Gigondas — an ethos reflected today in the estate's vineyards, where roughly 85% of their vines are planted with Grenache, complemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and a touch of Cinsault.

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The Domaine spans approximately 15 hectares: 10 within Gigondas and 5 in nearby Vacqueyras and Violes.

A Philosophy of Minimal Intervention & Terroir Expression

What makes Gour de Chaule stand out is its deep respect for tradition and terroir. The estate practices minimal intervention both in the vineyards and in the cellar — embracing techniques that preserve the true essence of Gigondas.

Key components of their winemaking approach include:

• Whole-berry fermentation with stems intact—a deliberately traditional method used to deliver structure, spice, and an unmistakable sense of place.
• Extended cuvaison (three weeks or so), allowing for deep extraction of flavor, texture, and color.
• Elevage in large oak foudres and sometimes concrete, eschewing new oak to avoid masking primary fruit character.
• Wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered—a final touch that guarantees purity and complexity.

The result is a classic, authentic Gigondas: sturdy, aromatic, and spiced with dusty tannins, gamey undertones, and distinctive Southern Rhône character …

https://www.moraswines.com/gour-de-chaule-southern-rhone-in-perspective/