The Legacy of Clos des Brusquières: A Century of Winemaking Excellence

The renowned estate of Clos des Brusquieres is in the centre of the Rhône Valley, tucked away among the sun-drenched Châteauneuf-du-Pape vines. Its past is intertwined with fervour, customs, and the tenacious character of a family with a strong winemaking heritage.

Clos des Brusquieres

23 Route d’Orange 84230 Chateauneuf-du-Pape +33 (0)4 90 83 74 47

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The story starts in the early 1900’s, when his father left him a tiny plot of vines. Jean Brusquieres was a poor farmer with great affection for the land. Although the Brusquieres family had been growing grapes for many generations, Jean had the foresight to elevate their modest vineyard to a remarkable level. He was convinced that their land’s distinct terroir—a combination of ample sun and rocky soil—was ideal for producing great grapes.

Jean put everything into the vineyard, toiling nonstop from sunrise to sunset. One basic idea served as his compass: reverence for the natural world. Jean’s perseverance paid off, and the vines flourished under his careful management. He chose to create his first vintage of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the 1920s, and he called it Clos des Brusquieres in remembrance of his family.

The wine’s remarkable quality and unique character rapidly brought it fame. Clos des Brusquieres became known for its hand-harvested, carefully sorted, and gently pressed products, all of which were a testament to Jean’s devotion to traditional practices. Every bottle conveyed the history of the area and the family’s unwavering commitment.

With time, Jean’s children and grandchildren continued to carry on his legacy. They updated the estate without sacrificing its essential principles. The winery stayed small, prioritising quality over quantity, and each generation carried on Jean’s traditions while introducing new ones.

Jean used to go through the vineyard every morning, his boots crunching under the big round stones that covered the ground, called galets roulés. These old glacier-deposited stones retained and released heat from the sun during the day, resulting in a special microclimate that was ideal for grape cultivation. Given that the land’s genuine enchantment rested in its inherent harmony, Jean carefully tended to each vine.

Jean’s perseverance paid off, as he created his first vintage of Clos des Brusquieresin 1920. The wine immediately established a reputation for quality thanks to its complex flavours and strong character. It was evidence of Jean’s painstaking artistry and the special terroir of the vineyard. He had discovered the land’s mysteries and captured its spirit in each bottle.

Jean’s children and grandchildren carried on his job as the years went by. Along with the land, they acquired his great reverence for the natural world and customs. While new skills and expertise were passed down over the generations, Clos des Brusquieres’ core values never changed. To preserve the traditions of their ancestors, they continued to harvest by hand, selecting only the best grapes, and they continued to employ conventional cellar techniques.

Created by Jean’s great-grandson Philippe, the 2011 vintage captures the estate’s timeless beauty and genuineness to perfection. Having learned the trade from his parents and grandparents, Philippe blended his innovations with their expertise. As a result, a wine was produced that perfectly reflected the distinct terroir of the vineyard and the Brusquieres family’s everlasting dedication to quality.

The vineyard was endangered by a severe drought one year ago. Under the unrelenting light, the leaves became fragile, and the vines appeared to wither. However, Jean’s great-grandson, Philippe Brusquieres, remained unflinching. He applied several cutting-edge watering methods while mindful of the lessons his great-grandfather had taught him, carefully blending contemporary science with the vineyard’s organic rhythms. Gradually, the vines came back to life, and that year’s vintage—against all expectations—became one of the estate’s most renowned ever.