Les Maou
Southern Rhone

AOC Ventoux is a region often overshadowed by its neighbours. Nestled between the Rhone Valley and Provence, it sits along the lower slopes of Mount Ventoux, well known to cycling fans around the world as one of the key stages of the Tour de France.

The appellation was established in 1973, prior to which grape production was mainly for the cooperative. Located in the department of Vaucluse, and considered part of the greater Southern Rhone, it is the only AOC situated at the heart of two National Parks (Ventoux & Luberon) and a UNESCO Biosphere reserve.
 
The past 10 years have seen an influx of young vignerons to the Ventoux and wine experts have put it firmly on their radar. With a cooler climate, limestone rich soils and unique biodiversity, it is a region producing wines with freshness and incredible balance.
 
Les Maou was established in 2014 by Vincent and Aurelie Garetta. Vincent was a mathematics statistician with a PHD in climatology, Aurelie a postwoman. This remarkable couple don’t come from a wine background; the only family link is Vincent’s grandmother who produced table grapes. Their journey to wine began with drinking natural wine, exploring and learning.

From Marcel Richaud and his heavier Rhone reds, Puzelat, Curtois and Lemasson's chiselled Loire whites, Pfifferling and Oustric for wines of balance and freshness to the Beaujolais and carbonic maceration.
 
They began by renting 3.5 hectares and a small shed for winemaking, and have built the estate to 10 hectares, all land owned expect the initial hectares that were rented. Aurelie officially joined the domaine in 2018, but like all small businesses, she has been integral since the beginning, in addition to her day job and raising two young children.
 
Much of the vineyards, are to the east of the mountain, on the flats and up the slopes. The cool air that descends the mountain at nights aids the growing season and ensures cooler night temperatures. Soils are limestone dominant with a base of clay or sand. 

Under vine is Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Aubun, Clairette, Clairette Gris, Carignan Blanc and Alicante along with new plantings of Folle Blanche, Ugni Blanc, Terret Blanc, Picpoul and Picardan (one of the 13 permissible varieties of Chateauneuf du Pape). New Cinsault cuttings have come from Thibault Pfifferling.
 
Aurelie and Vincent do not claim AOC, choosing to avoid admin complexities and allow freedom over grape varieties and wine styles. Despite being ancient varieties of the region, Aubun and Alicante are not permissible by the AOC.
 
Certified organic, the Garreta's focus is on the soil. Soils suffer from drought, blocking the mineralization of nutrients required by the vines. Vincent and Aurelie plant cover crops to bring nitrogen to the soil. In the spring the crops are buried into the ground to store the carbon. The ongoing objective is to only bury half, taking lessons and teachings from Didier Barral who has extensive experience in soil health and biodynamic farming.

In the cellar the couple seek precision and honesty. Vinification is with indigenous yeast and without inputs. Fermentations are mostly semi carbonic and occur in cement. Blending is done early spring prior to bottling, and if required they add a small part of sulfur at this stage.