Terroir & Appellations

Rocca Maura, a moisaique of terroirs

400 hectares of vines are grown in the villages surrounding the Rocca Maura winery: Roquemaure, Sauveterre, Lirac, Tavel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, St Geniès de Comolas, St Laurent des Arbres, Pujaut, Montfaucon, St Victor la Coste. Depending on location and soil type, the plots have been classified by INAO into different appellations:

IGP

Indication Géographique Protégée, formerly known as Vin de Pays

AOC
Côtes du Rhône

Cru des Côtes du Rhône

Lirac, Tavel, Laudun, Châteauneuf du Pape

The higher up the hierarchy of appellations, the higher the quality of the terroir, and the more demanding the specifications in terms of grape quality and yield.

The grape varieties authorized for each appellation are precisely defined. AOC plots are planted with regional grape varieties: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Viognier... For IGP vineyards, regional grape varieties are planted alongside those from other regions: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay or Sauvignon.

Grape varieties / Cepages

Grenache

A variety of Spanish origin, Grenache noir is well adapted to the hot summer weather of our region. It thrives on deep, chalky soils. It is the emblematic grape variety of the southern Rhône Valley. Grenache offers complex, rich, fruity wines (blackcurrant and blackberry aromas).

Grenache blanc is the region's most widely planted white variety. Its wines are low in acidity, fruity and round. It is appreciated for its fullness and volume on the palate.

Syrah

A grape variety with mysterious, but probably local origins, Syrah is the queen of the northern Côtes du Rhône Crus. It is also found in the southern Rhône Valley on cool terroirs. Syrah produces colorful wines with notes of spices (pepper, licorice) and flowers (violets).

Mourvèdre

Native to the Valencia region in Spain, Mourvèdre, like Grenache, is capable of producing high-quality grapes in hot weather. Mourvèdre produces powerful, tannic wines with great finesse. It requires warm terroirs, but with considerable reserve. Its tight tannins and peppery, slightly vegetal aromas (garrigue, laurel) evolve into notes of leather and jammy fruit as it ages.

Caladoc

Caladoc is a 1958 cross between Malbec and Grenache. It has been authorized in Côtes du Rhône since 2019. This grape variety is colorful, tannic and well-balanced on the palate. It also makes superb, fresh and aromatic rosés, and this is its main use at Rocca Maura.

Viognier

The second most widely planted white grape variety in the Rhône Valley, and star of the most northerly crus (Condrieu and Château-Grillet), Viognier is renowned for its finesse, elegance and powerful aromas of fresh yellow fruit. It has had its share of ups and downs, almost disappearing... Originally, it was only grown between Vienne and Valence, in the northern Côtes du Rhône. By the end of the 20th century, it had become one of the most popular grape varieties in California.

Clairette

This is a very vigorous grape variety, which likes lean, dry, warm soils. Along with Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache blanc and Bourboulenc, it is one of the main grape varieties of white Côtes du Rhône. Clairette produces smooth wines with fine, complex floral aromas. Clairette rosé also exists, and is used to make both red and rosé wines.

Appellations

Châteauneuf-
du-Pape

The reputation of Cru Châteauneuf du Pape is well established. This AOC on the left bank of the Rhône was created in 1923 in the commune of the same name and 3 neighboring villages. While 13 grape varieties are authorized, Grenache is the King on the terroirs of galets roulets, sables and safre. Harvesting is done by hand, and the appellation's yield is 35hl/ha.

Lirac

Lirac has been a Côtes du Rhône « Cru » since 1947. The vines grow on loess, sandy soils, or terraces of pebbles, in the communes of Lirac, Roquemaure, St-Laurent-des-Arbres and St-Geniès-de-Comolas. Grenache is the main grape variety (40% minimum). Lirac is one of the few crus to offer wines in both white, red and rosé. We are located in the heart of this appellation, and will be delighted to let you taste the results of our winemakers' passionate work.

Tavel

Tavel is considered the “king of rosés”: itw as French King Philippe le Bel’s favorite drink! The appellation produces exclusively rosé wine from Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette or Picpoul grapes, with a maximum yield of 43hl/ha. Our vines are planted on sandy and pebbly terroirs.

Laudun

Laudun vineyard existes since Roman times. Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun was created in 1947 after a precise terroirs analysis. In 2024, Laudun became Crû des Côtes du Rhône, a important acknowledgement for this appellation on the right bank of the Rhône. The authorized yield for Laudun is 38hl/ha. Red wines must be made with at least 50% Grenache.

Côtes du Rhône

The Côtes du Rhône « Appellation d'Origine Protégée » (AOC) covers 171 communes on both banks of the Rhône between Vienne and Avignon. The vines grow on rolled pebbles and stony clay-limestone soils. The maximum yield is 51hl/ha. 22 grape varieties can be used to produce this wine, the best known being Grenache noir or blanc, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Clairette or Viognier.

To produce a red Côte du Rhône, you need :

30% Grenache

20% Syrah and/or Mouvèdre

These 3 grape varieties must account for more than 70% of the total.

The other grapes can be Cinsaut, Carignan, Counoise, Marselan, Caladoc...

For a white Côtes du Rhône, 80% of the vines must come from the following varieties:

Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache blanc, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier

Coteaux du Pont du Gard

The IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée) Coteaux du Pont du Gard Protected guarantees the origin of our wines.

The name is a reminder of the exceptional richness of our region's heritage, with the Pont du Gard, of course, but also Roman Nîmes and the Duchy of Uzès.

IGP wines account for 50% of our production. Our vines flourish on alluvial soils laid down by the Rhône. Traditional Rhone Valley grape varieties (Grenache, Syrah, Viognier...) as well as international varieties (Merlot, Chardonnay...) can be used to produce these wines.

L'Effet Mer, our cellar's flagship, also comes from plots in the IGP appellation.