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Now Viewing: Domaine Vieux Telegraphe
Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe does indeed derive its name from an old telegraph station, which was once sited on the hill where this Chateauneuf domaine now stands. The station was one of Claude Chappe's optical telegraph relay towers, erected in 1792. The optical telegraph system spanned the whole of France, and used a semaphore system to relay information. Each station was equipped with two telescopes, pointing up and down the line, to view incoming messages. The French Government opted for replacement by an electric telegraph in 1846, despite some fears that such a communication system was more open to sabotage as a cable was easily cut, and so the station at Chateauneuf has long since been demolished.
The domaine is run by the Brunier family, with brothers Daniel and Frederic having taken over from their father, Henri, in 1988. Henri had inherited the domaine from his father, Jules, who had largely been responsible for building up the family business. Their vineyards are unusual in that they lie in a single block, on the La Crau plateau. The soils are covered by the galets roules, the large rounded stones which are classically associated with the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape, although they can also be found in other areas across the south of France. Beneath these stones there is more organic soil, and then red clay. The vines average an impressive 40 years of age, with a significant proportion old enough to draw their pension at 65 years. The oldest vines are Grenache, which account for 70% of the vineyard area. There is also Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsaut and some white varieties including Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Roussanne and Bourboulenc.
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