Cave de Cairanne

The Cave de Cairanne is a wine cooperative located in the commune of Cairanne, in the Vaucluse department, in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region. It markets appellations of the southern Rhone valley such as Cairanne or Rasteau.

The history of the Cave de Cairanne

Archaeological research has unearthed amphorae dating back to Roman times, attesting to a wine production that was already well established during antiquity. It has never stopped since.

In the 14th century, Pope John XXII was a fervent ambassador for the wines of Cairanne. During the annual levy of the tithe - the tax representing 10% of the agricultural income paid to the Church - the pope systematically claimed twelve barrels of Cairanne.

The Cave de Cairanne was created in 1929. The winegrowers of the region wanted to promote their wines and preserve the specificities of their terroir. They were the first to lay the foundations for the future appellations contrôlées. Rieu, one of the winegrowers of Cairanne, took advantage of the impetus of Baron Le Roy - who was at the origin of the revival of the wine appellations of France - to federate the winegrowers of the area.

This mobilization made its way and allowed to affix the name of Cairanne on their bottles from 1953 and the appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages Cairanne was officialized in 1967. It was not until 2018 that Cairanne was finally recognized as a Cru des Côtes du Rhône.

Today, the Cave de Cairanne groups together 65 winegrowers who share the exploitation of 550 hectares of vines.

The Cave de Cairanne vineyard

The Cairanne vineyard covers only the commune of Cairanne. It represents 846 hectares, of which 550 are exploited by the winegrowers of the Cave de Cairanne. The terroir is quite varied and benefits globally from the dry and hot Mediterranean climate.

To the south, the garrigue plateau is mostly made up of stony alluvium that mixes with the finer grains of the soil. The plots benefit from an exceptional amount of sunshine, as well as the mistral wind that beats the vines. The wind dries and sanitizes the vines, repelling parasites.

The north of the terroir is made up of the slopes of the Ventabren mountain. The soil consists of pebbles and limestone, with some traces of flint and marl.

The terraces to the west are made up of clays, fine sands and flints.

The vineyard of the Cave de Cairanne is divided between 96% red wine and only 4% white. Half of the red grape varieties are Grenache. 30% is reserved for old Carignan vines and Cinsault grapes. The remaining 20% is shared between Mourvèdre and Syrah.

The white grapes are 30% Clairette, 20% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussane and the last 30% is shared between Viognier, Bourboulenc, Picpoul and Marsanne.

The wines

Red Wines

Grande Réserve Red
Antique
The Black Oak

White Wines

Grande Réserve White
Le Pas de Baume
Blanc Passion

Rosé Wines

Le Chêne Givré Rose
Le Pas de Baume