The Cave des Bons Sachants of Luberon of Rhone Valley

Philippe Schaus, chairman and chief executive of the Moët Hennessy division of LVMH, called Joseph Phelps Vineyards ‘an iconic name and an iconic winery’. Joseph Phelps founded his eponymous winery on a 260ha former cattle ranch in Napa Valley in 1973. He turned it into one of California’s most prominent producers, famed for its flagship Insignia – a Bordeaux-style blend – and its pioneering use of Rhône varieties, which kick-started the ‘Rhône Rangers’ movement in the Golden State. The founder’ ...

The week-long trip into one of France’s most exciting appellations with closed-door access to some of the most revered vineyards and their cellars will be going ahead this June. Walls has curated a trip to highlight the very best the Rhône has to offer – a 360 trip that encompasses great food, delicious wine, sightseeing and downtime – where he’ll be imparting his expert knowledge of the region, honed over the years.  Download trip brochure Trip Highlights Include:   Meeting some of the greatest ...

It’s easy to forget that the southern Rhône’s four most prevalent red varieties aren’t indigenous. Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre all appear to originate from Spain; Syrah made its way down the river from the northern Rhône. Of the long tail of other grapes, most have their roots closer to home. Plantings have dwindled in recent years, but today local varieties are experiencing renewed interest. One that’s finding a lot of fans – both in the Rhône and further afield – is Counoise. Scroll down ...