Chateau de la Gardine: a tasting at Chateauneuf-du-Pape

A tasting 8 minutes from Bedarrides, in a historic estate of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

This is the tasting we recommend first when guests want to discover Chateauneuf-du-Pape without arranging a complicated visit. The estate sits 8 minutes from Villa Plaisance, the cellar welcomes visitors without an appointment, and the Brunel family has been pouring there for three generations.

The estate

The Brunel family has run Chateau La Gardine since 1954. The vines grow on soils of galets roules, the rounded stones that define the Chateauneuf plateau. They store warmth during the day and release it at night, creating a microclimate that suits the slow ripening of the grapes.

The tasting

The cellar welcomes visitors Monday to Saturday, no booking needed during the week. The range covers whites made from grenache blanc, roussanne and clairette, alongside several reds with contrasting profiles. These are structured, tannic wines that age well in the cellar over 8 to 15 years. The tasting is free of charge and there is no obligation to buy.

Planning your visit

Morning is the best moment to stop by, before climbing up to the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and the ruins of the papal castle. The road between Bedarrides and the estate winds past vineyards and olive trees: take the back lanes rather than the main road. Cycling works too, with very little elevation along the side roads.

• Distance: 8 minutes from Villa Plaisance
• Cellar: Monday to Saturday, no booking required on weekdays
• Tasting: free of charge
• Appellation: Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC