Bonneau (Henri)

Henri Bonneau is a 12th generation wine grower. He made his first vintage in 1956. His domain covers only 6 ha., mainly planted with Grenache that normally counts for more than 90% of the blend with small amounts of Mourvedre, Counoise and Vaccarèse. Henri Bonneau decides for each vintage which cuvées he will make. Sometimes one or maybe up to four.   His decision about cuvées is taken several years after the harvest - just before bottling.  The vinification and ageing of the wines is in fact very simple. When the fermentation in cement tanks is finished the wine goes into very old barrels from Burgundy. Here it stays until Bonneau finds it ready to be bottled - maybe after 6, 8 or 10 years. A great vigneron, he continues to work outside of trends or outside influences to create wines with unique personalities. Whether concerning the grapes in the field or bottling the wine, no decision is made based on money nor modern winemaking. The wines, produced in very limited quantity, are particularly difficult to find.