Producer
Font de Michelle
Until recent this substantial estate owned by the Gonnet family had been known as Font de Michelle. The Font de Michelle lieu dit is a large parcel in the southeast of the Châteauneu du Pape appellation, named after the natural water source found there. Due to a recent legislative change that means there is no protection for the name of Font de Michelle – because the lieu dit is farmed by numerous vignerons – the family have taken the decision to rebrand. The style of winemaking, however, remains an impeccable as it ever was. Guillaume Gonnet has taken up the reins from his parents with impressive assurance. He guides the domaine with a combination of modern innovation and respect for tradition. The estate does not push alcoholic maturity, and the gentle pumping over of mostly destemmed fruit results in well-balanced wines with appealing juicy fruit. The domaine makes a number of cuvées in Châteauneuf. In some years the estate makes a Cuvée Etienne Gonnet, which is both homage to Guillaume’s grandfather as well as the 100+ year old Grenache vines that grow on the plateau, La Crau.
