Valréas is a canton of Vaucluse, founded in 1317 when Pope John XXII purchased the land to ensure his supply of the area's wine, having credited it with curing his ill health. His successor, Pope Clement VI, later bought the villages of Visan, Grillon and Richerenches, creating what is now known as the Enclave des Papes.

Valréas is famous for its truffles, its lavender and its historic Papal treasures, but Domaine La Décelle’s treasure lies in the clay-rich and sandy soils of its wind-swept vineyards. So exceptional is its terroir that it was a strong contender to become Boutinot’s home in the Rhône before we finally decided upon Cairanne. A little further north than Gigondas or Cairanne and slightly higher in altitude, La Décelle produces a Valréas that is naturally fresher in style.

Domaine La Décelle was purchased by the Lavau brothers in 2010, and it was bought in three parcels; it now totals 100ha of vines. This might not be a huge vineyard area in other parts of the world, but the entire Valréas appellation is tiny and covers less than 500ha! Located in the very north of the southern Rhône Valley, Valréas is planted with more Syrah than the Côtes du Rhône villages further south thanks to its interesting terroir. Lying at 350-400 metres above sea level, it is a very windy region and it can be as much as two degrees cooler than in Cairanne to the south. It also has a notable diurnal temperature swing, and these fresh nights help to slow the ripening of the grapes and to generate pure, elegantly fruity styles of wine.

Frédéric and Benoît Lavau, whose family owns La Décelle, are also the co-owners of our highly respected, organic Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer Château Maucoil.