Vineyards: all the vineyards come within the commune de Visan, in the French department of the Vaucluse (papal enclave).
Soil types: stony red argillaceous limestone.
Climate: Mediterranean and affected by the Mistral.
Background: originally own by the Knights Templars, Visan became Papal land in 1317. One of the chancel arches in the 12th century chapel of Notre-Dame des Vignes bears the inscription “posuerunt me custodem in vinoe”... “I have been placed here , the custodian of their wines...” It would appear that the destiny of the village was decided from an early date!
Visan was classified Côtes du Rhône Villages Visan in 1967.
Area under cultivation*: 294 hectares, yearly production: 9,548 hl; basic yield : 32 hl/hectare.
* Source: harvest statement 2009.
Grape variety mix:
For the reds, Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties of the Appellation tolerated 20% maximum.
For the rosé, Grenache 50% minimum, Syrah and / or Mourvèdre 20% minimum, other grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum, white grape varieties 20% maximum (Grenache, Clairette, Marsanne, Roussanne, Bourboulenc and Viognier).
For the whites, Grenache white, Clairette white, Marsanne white, Roussanne white, Bourboulenc white, Viognier white, other white grape varieties tolerated 20% maximum.
Minimum alcoholic strength: for the reds 12.5%, for the rosé and whites 12%.
