Domaine de la Guicharde

In 1988, Isabelle and Arnaud Guichard acquired their estate in the hamlet of Derboux at the top of the Massif d’Uchaux, near Mondragon. The young couple, passionate for careers as wine producers, immediately sought to make the finest Cotes du Rhone possible. Vines were first planted here in 1960 but the Guichards reorganized the 15 hectare vineyard to take better advantage of the soils and exposition. The estate sits on a high plateau at the top of the Massif d’Uchaux, making it ideally situated for the ripening of grapes. The vineyard benefits from the Mistral wind, which naturally enhances the health of the vines and fruit, and is surrounded by forest and garrigue. Indeed, in 2005 the Massif d’Uchaux plateau was granted its own appellation status in recognition of its exceptional terroir.

Arnaud and Isabelle’s objective is to produce natural and authentic wines in as healthy an environment as possible. To this end, they are committed to organic viticulture in order to allow for the fullest expression of the vines and grapes. They continue their multi-year conversion to organic agriculture (agriculture biologique) begun with the 2008 vintage. They no longer use synthetic products to treat vine diseases such as mildew and odium, and only treat the vines with copper and sulfur. All of the vine-rows are plowed and no chemical fertilizers are used. With the 2009 and 2010 vintages, Domaine de la Guicharde wines carry the certification “wine made from grapes in transition to “Agrilculture Biologique,” or organic. And the 2011 vintage will be certified as fully organic (biologique). The certifying organization is ECOCERT.