Xavier Vignon is a pragmatist,
He watches closely, listens carefully to his environment and gets to know every inch of his terroirs by spending as much time as possible exploring the vineyards. He fell in love with this little paradise bordered by the Dentelles de Montmirail and found himself in awe of its magic, colours and vibrancy. It is this vibrancy that he seeks to capture in each of his cuvées.
Every stone is a tool, every parcel a pillar of strength, every appellation a nave to be constructed. It is here in this terroir, reaching as high as 600 metres in altitude, beaten by the mistral and engulfed by the sun, that he truly feels at home. From the holm oaks and pine trees to the fragrances of thyme and lavender and the water reserves, he knows every single one of their secrets.
These safer, limestone and marl soils, with their alternating geological layers, are a millefeuille that he uses in the composition of unique and complex wines, wines that offer the most loyal representation of their origins.
‘Before we are able to transmit, we first need to show our commitment. As respecting our lands and their innate magic requires us to leave nature intact. The vineyards and their environment need our commitment, they need concrete actions to enable shifts to happen and mindsets to change.’ Almost 70% of Xavier Vignon’s wines are now Organic certified (Ecocert).
His in depth knowledge of the terroirs of the southern Rhône Valley enable him to compose with a wide range of expressions, from the original to the more classic, and to offer his own personal interpretation.
Xavier Vignon also now owns his own vines which is not something he ever saw himself doing. Like a gift to himself to mark his 25 years of service to this country, he purchased around thirty hectares that he often vinifies using the complete immersion method, a revolutionary technique that he himself devised and perfected.