Famille Brunier

Famille Brunier embodies the ensemble of the holdings by the Brunier family, notably Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe, Domaine La Roquète, Domaine Les Pallières (along with Kermit), and other vineyards for wines under the Brunier label. Frédéric and Daniel are the fourth generation of their family to farm the land of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The brothers have worked hard to solidify the legacy left by their father, Henri, and their great-grandfather, Hippolyte. They have brought their intricate knowledge of the various terroirs of the southern Rhône to new heights through the expansion of the holdings. Their properties represent a vast variation of soil types, climatic conditions, and grape varieties.

The Bruniers’ vineyards in the La Crau cru of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are the most pedigreed of the appellation, producing wines of exceptional quality and longevity. Since purchasing Domaine La Roquète in 1986, the family has complemented their portfolio with additional wines, offering more affordable cuvées that showcase the diversity of terroirs within their holdings. The “Pigeoulet” and “Mégaphone” are fresh, rich in fruit, pleasantly representative of their terroir, and easy to appreciate young. The red Châteauneuf “Piedlong”, sourced from the famed Piélong lieu-dit with some fruit from the Pignan vineyard as well, is a profoundly mineral wine that balances elegance and purity with the muscle that is commonly found in wines from this great appellation.

Technical Information

Wine	Blend	Vine Age	Soil Type	Vineyard Area*
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc “Le Pigeoulet”	1/3 Roussanne, 1/3 Grenache Blanc, 1/3 Clairette	Planted in 1995	Clay, Limestone, scattered with galets roulés	.5 ha
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”	80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Carignan, 5% Cinsault	25 years average	Clay with sandy alluvial deposits	10 ha
Ventoux Rouge “Mégaphone”	80% Grenache, 20% Syrah	25 years average	Rocky clay and sand	2 ha
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge “Piedlong”	90% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre	Grenache: 70 years old, Mourvèdre: 50 years old	Grenache: Molasse and galets roulés Mourvèdre: Sand, clay	13 ha
* "ha" = hectares; one hectare equals roughly two and a half acres

VITICULTURE / VINIFICATION

Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Blanc “Le Pigeoulet” :

• Vineyard is situated in the southeastern sector of the commune of Courthézon, in the lieu-dit of Saint Georges

• Grapes are harvested by hand, followed by two rigorous sortings

• Grapes are pressed gently by pneumatic press with their stems

• Vinification occurs in oak foudres at around 20°C

• Wine ages in 25-hl foudres for 8 months and is then bottled
• The name “Le Pigeoulet” is derived from the foothills of the noble La Crau plateau, where the V.T. winery is located

Vin de Pays de Vaucluse Rouge “Le Pigeoulet”:

• Vineyard is divided into two parcels: 3 hectares on the left bank of the Rhône, 15 km north of Avignon; 7 hectares in the commune of Caromb (beneath Mont Ventoux)

• Blend assembles fruit from both the Côtes-du-Rhône and Ventoux appellations

• Grapes are harvested by hand

• Grapes are de-stemmed

• Grapes are pressed gently by pneumatic press

• Vinification occurs in temperature-controlled cement tanks for 15-20 days

• Wine ages for 18 months in 50% cement tanks, 50% foudres
• The name “Le Pigeoulet” is derived from the foothills of the noble La Crau plateau

Ventoux Rouge “Mégaphone” :

• Vineyards are situated in the commune of Saint-Hippolyte-le-Graveyron, on the southern slopes of the Dentelles de Montmirail

• Formerly blended into “Le Pigeoulet” rouge

• Grapes are harvested by hand

• Grapes are de-stemmed

• Grapes are pressed gently by pneumatic press

• Vinification occurs in temperature-controlled cement tanks for 15-20 days

• Aged in 50 hl foudres for 10 months

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge “Piedlong”:
• Partially de-stemmed
• Traditional fermentation lasts 30 days in temperature controlled concrete tanks
• Wine is aged in concrete tanks for 1 year, then aged a second year in 50 hl foudres
• Bottled unfined and unfiltered
• Aged in bottle for 3 months
• Grenache fruit comes from the lieu-dit Piélong (10 ha), Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s highest position at 128 m
• Mourvèdre fruit comes from the lieu-dit Pignan (3 ha)
• Both parcels are located north of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the Plateau du Piélong