Wines of France / Southern Rhône / Terrasses d'Éole

Domaine Terrasses d'Éole, Ventoux

Mazan, Ventoux
The Saurel family has grown grapes for generations and for years father Claude and mother Gisele Saurel sold them all to the cooperative. But in 1998, their son Stephane came into the fold after finishing agronomy studies and they decided to begin bottling their own wine. They constructed a new winery, literally carrying and cementing every brick into place themselves, and called the project Terrasses d’Eole (literally, Terraces of the God of Wind). They began working the soil in the vineyards, eliminating weed killers, reducing yields and improving the quality of their raw materials. They greatly minimized the amount of spraying in the vines, and subscribed to a lutte raisonée philosophy, a beginning step toward organic viticulture. In 2003 a large windmill was put on the property, and is now beginning to allow them to run much of the power in the winery using the often intense winds that pass through the region. Since 2005, Stephane has worked alongside his sister Isabelle Munoz-Saurel.

Stéphane Saurel - photo © Charles Neal

The domaine now covers 24 hectares of vines spread over 70 parcels, planted on various soils often seen in the part of Ventoux known as the Comtat Terrasses that lie between the plains and mountains. Some of the soils at the base of the hard limestone that forms Mount Ventoux are ochre sand and white gypsum. Other parcels are planted on alluvial soils with high amounts of clay. Their highest parcels lie at 400 meters altitude.

All of the wines from Terrasses d’Eole are named after the various winds in Provençal dialect. The wines that we import are the same blends as in France, but instead of the colorful, semi-circular labels available in that country, we have opted for a simpler, more classic label for the United States.

Domaine Terrasses d’Eole Ventoux Blanc
(Called L'Aguieloun in France and named after a cold wind from the northeast) Made with a blend of Clairette and Ugni Blanc, this wine is crisp and has aromas of white fruit and flowers, and finishes with bright acidity and a light lavender note. It is ideal with white fish or seafood.

Domaine Terrasses d’Eole Ventoux Rosé
(Known as Ventoureso In France and named after a wind from the north and northeast.)
This is made with 5 grapes: Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Marselan (a hybrid of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache). The maceration is very short and the rosé is bled from various red tanks. Great with roasted vegetables or lightly grilled fare.

Domaine Terrasses d’Eole Ventoux Rouge
(Known as Montagniero in France for a wind that comes from the mountain).
Made with 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre. It delivers a delicious mouthful of flavors that include cherry and blueberry along with a touch of spice and minerals. It drinks like a wine worth much more than its price tag suggests.  With slightly more lift than many Southern Rhone wines, it makes for an ideal house wine to accompany typical, everyday meals.

Stephane Saurel

Stéphane Saurel & JJ Clifton