History of the Winery
Domaine des Tours is the creation of Emmanuel Reynaud, the famously enigmatic winemaker whose name has become inseparable from Chateau Rayas, Chateau des Tours, and Chateau Fonsalette. Set in Sarrians in the Vaucluse, the estate has always played a special role within the Reynaud family holdings, acting both as an independent domaine and as a proving ground for Emmanuel’s vision of wines that combine purity, rustic honesty, and an unshakable connection to the land. Originally purchased by the Reynaud family decades ago, Domaine des Tours was gradually brought to prominence under Emmanuel’s stewardship. His philosophy is consistent across his estates: meticulous farming, intuitive winemaking, and patience in an era of speed. Where Rayas is a legend of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Fonsalette a Rhane classic, Domaine des Tours offers a more approachable but no less authentic interpretation of his artistry. Over the years, it has evolved from a little-known Vaucluse property into one of the most sought-after addresses in the southern Rhône, precisely because it stays true to Emmanuel’s belief in minimal intervention and maximum expression of terroir.
Domaine des Tours
153, Route de Parisi | 84260 Sarrians
Telephone : 04 90 65 41 75 | FAX : 04 90 65 38 46
Email | Website
Domaine des Tours on Google Maps | Instagram
Winemaking and Grapes
The wines of Domaine des Tours are built on a foundation of Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Cinsault, Merlot, and Counoise, a palette that Emmanuel Reynaud manipulates with the precision of a painter blending colors. The reds often lean heavily on Grenache, bringing generosity and warmth, while Cinsault and Syrah contribute lift and spice. Whites, meanwhile, are drawn from Grenache Blanc and other southern varieties, yielding wines of surprising freshness and texture for the heat of the region.
In the cellar, Emmanuel applies a philosophy of minimalism. Fermentation occurs with natural yeasts, extractions are gentle, and aging is carried out in large old foudres that lend subtle oxygenation without masking the purity of fruit. There is no reliance on heavy new oak or technological shortcuts. Instead, the rhythm of the wines follows the rhythm of the seasons. Patience is critical: bottlings often rest for extended periods before release, allowing structure and complexity to integrate. What emerges are wines that marry rustic authenticity with polish, showing both the generosity of Vaucluse fruit and the refinement of Reynaud’s touch.
The People
At the center of Domaine des Tours is Emmanuel Reynaud himself, a winemaker whose reputation oscillates between myth and mastery. He inherited not only vineyards but a philosophy from his grandfather Jacques Reynaud, the man who put Chateau Rayas on the world map. Emmanuel has carried that legacy into every estate he touches, including Domaine des Tours, where his guiding principle remains to let the vineyard speak. His presence in the cellar is marked by intuition rather than formula. While others chase ripeness curves and technical analyses, Emmanuel listens to his vines, adjusting harvest dates and cellar practices by instinct.
The team surrounding him shares this devotion to authenticity. Vineyard workers and cellar hands alike are trained to respect the rhythm of the plants, cultivating vines without chemical shortcuts and treating grapes with the same care one would extend to a family heirloom. In an era of brand-driven winemaking, the people at Domaine des Tours stand out as artisans who prize integrity over mass production.
Vineyards & Terroir
The vineyards of Domaine des Tours lie in the rolling countryside of Sarrians in the Vaucluse, a landscape defined by Mediterranean sun, mistral winds, and soils that alternate between clay, limestone, and sandy patches. This mosaic of terroirs allows Emmanuel to craft wines with layers of complexity. Grenache thrives in the sandy soils, producing supple, aromatic fruit, while Syrah finds structure and depth in clay-limestone parcels. The mistral, while sometimes fierce, is a blessing, keeping the vineyards naturally ventilated and reducing the need for chemical intervention.
The terroir here is less famous than the hallowed soils of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, yet it offers a different sort of magic: wines that are generous but not heavy, rustic yet graceful, deeply expressive of both sun and soil. Sustainability is not a marketing tool at Domaine des Tours but a way of life. The estate follows principles of lutte raisonnée, with no systemic chemicals and minimal treatments, ensuring the land remains healthy for future generations. Cover crops, manual harvests, and low yields are not innovations here but long-standing traditions.
Conclusion – A Sommelier’s Perspective
For sommeliers, Domaine des Tours offers an invaluable story to tell tableside: the wines embody both the spirit of Vaucluse and the philosophy of one of France’s most fascinating winemakers. They are approachable in price compared to the mythical bottles of Chateau Rayas, yet they share the same DNA of purity, patience, and terroir-driven authenticity. In the glass, they reveal an honesty rarely encountered today: fruit that is vibrant but never overripe, texture that is supple yet structured, and a finish that lingers with the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.
To recommend Domaine des Tours is to invite wine lovers into Emmanuel Reynaud’s world—a world where history, terroir, and vision converge in bottles that carry the soul of Vaucluse. For sommeliers and wine professionals seeking to connect drinkers not just with a wine but with a philosophy, Domaine des Tours stands as a benchmark of authenticity.
The wines
