Domaine de la Coquillade

They are the estate's two ranges from the Luberon, each in white, rosé and red. Elyo is the entry range, with wines at around CHF 29. The Coquillade wines cost CHF 39. Red and rosé in both ranges are made from Syrah and Grenache. The Elyo Blanc blends Marsanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, while the Coquillade Blanc is almost pure Roussanne.

The Elyo wines and the Rubis cost around CHF 29, the alcohol-free Rosé Pétillant CHF 25, the Coquillade range CHF 39.

On a hill above Gargas in the Vaucluse, in the middle of the Luberon nature park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1990. From there you look out to Mont Ventoux, surrounded by vines, lavender fields and pine woods. Most of the vineyards belong to the AOC Ventoux, and many stand around the Hotel Coquillade, which is part of the same estate.

Frank John, an oenologist and vine breeder from the Palatinate. Since 2024 he has led the estate's conversion to biodynamics, in the vineyard as well as in the cellar. The estate has been certified organic (AB) since 2022. No synthetic pesticides or herbicides are used, and the soil is not tilled, so that healthy soils and rich biodiversity can develop.

Both are 95 percent Syrah with 5 percent Grenache, directly pressed, spontaneously fermented and aged in concrete, wood and ceramic. The Elyo Rosé 2024 for CHF 29 won a silver medal from VINUM, judged among 800 rosés. The Coquillade Rosé 2024 costs CHF 39. Both go with seafood, salads and light poultry, or simply on their own.

A sweet red wine made from pure Caladoc, from vines averaging 25 years on iron-rich limestone. Fermentation is stopped by adding alcohol, which keeps the sweetness of the fruit. It then ages for twelve months in barriques and tonneaux. It smells of amarena cherry, blackberry and plum and suits game, blue cheese and dark chocolate. The bottle holds 0.5 litres.

Yes, the Rosé Pétillant. It is made from the estate's rosé wines, dealcoholised under vacuum at low temperature so that aroma and colour stay. Then it gets its bubbles. It has 0.0 percent alcohol, tastes of red berries with a gentle sweetness and makes an aperitif for everyone who is not drinking that evening. CHF 25.

Along biodynamic principles: spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, little intervention, careful selection of plots. The wines age in steel, concrete, wooden casks, ceramic and amphorae. For the Coquillade Rouge 2023, 52 percent Grenache and 48 percent Syrah, the grapes are picked late, the varieties ferment separately in steel and concrete, and part of the wine then ages in wood.