Mas de Cadenet

History

Provence is a wine-growing region where vines were cultivated very early in history. Around 2,600 years ago, the Phocaeans introduced vines to France for the first time. This would therefore be the founding act of our vineyards, and Provence would be the first wine-growing region!

It's easy to imagine that Provence has taken advantage of this to become one of our most renowned regions. Many siblings have handed down the land over the centuries, and others have preferred to part with it. It was against this backdrop that Mas de Cadenet evolved, with the vocation of continuing the work of its ancestors.

Here we are, several centuries later, in 1813, when the Négrel family acquired the Mas de Cadenet. Seven generations have succeeded one another in this family, which today is one of the oldest in Provence to cultivate vines.

Gaston Négrel, from the 5th generation, has found traces of wine-making in amphorae dating back to Greco-Roman times. Guy Négrel was in the 6th generation and innovated by making the first rosé in oak barrels. Today, with the help of his children (Maud and Mathieu), Guy Négrel has bought fifteen hectares of vines to expand the estate.

Atypical soil

But what does "Mas de Cadenet" actually mean?

In fact, the name comes from the Provençal "Domaine planté de Cade" (native juniper).

The vineyard, known for its rosé wines, also produces red and white. Syrah, Rolle, Grenache and Cinsault are grown on 60 hectares of Mas de Cadenet terroir. A majority of black grapes are planted, given the large production of rosé and red wine (60% and 30%, the remainder for white), in AOP Sainte Victoire and AOP Côtes de Provence.

The soils of these AOPs are particularly dry and filtering. Indeed, the estate is located on an atypical soil composed of gravel and sand. Naturally, some plots have low yields. It's also worth noting that the climate is not the easiest to get used to, with heavy showers in spring and autumn. Summers are hot and dry, winters rather mild.

It was with these characteristics in mind that the family decided to embark on organic viticulture. In their own words, this method reveals the full aromatic potential of the terroir in the wines. It's also out of respect for the work of the elders since 1813.

In the vineyard as in the tasting room, it would seem that Mas de Cadenet has only one aim: to convey an unforgettable experience...