Perfectly located on slopes that constitute the foothills of the Cevennes, the vineyard was founded in the first century under Emperor Augustus and serves today as an excellent ambassador for the thriving Languedoc wine region. On 28 plots that are well-oriented to the south or south-west, the property produces both a white and a red wine, but it is on the basis of the red that it has built its reputation. In 1975, the owner Alain Roux breathed new life into the vineyard by planting some "thoroughbreds" (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre), and Châteauneuf-du-Pape's 13 traditional varieties (Rousanne, Marsanne, Clairette, etc.), while at the same time taking care to preserve the old Mediterranean varieties of Cinsault and Carignan. In 1994, the Prieuré was purchased by Chantal Lecouty and Jean Claude Le Brun, former directors of the Revue de France magazine, who continued the work initiated by Alain Roux for the next fifteen years. They adopted a sustainable agriculture approach (with no chemical fertilizers) and harvested the grapes at their maximum possible ripeness, picking them two weeks later than the usual start of the harvests in the Languedoc. Vinified separately from each other, the various grape varieties are then aged - still separately - for 6 to 18 months in oak barrels, one third of which are renewed each year, with minimal toasting to avoid excessive woody aromas.

The Tartuguier cuvée is a blend of 70% Mourvèdre and 30% Grenache Noir. The different parcels of vines are planted in clay soil scattered with various types of pebbles, including basalt, quartz and flint. The cuvée is named after a delightful stream that runs behind the estate and provides the vines with all the water they require to thrive. In the winery, the meticulously harvested grapes are vinified with a minimum of 50% whole bunches. The cuvée is then carefully matured for 12 months in old 32 hectolitre ‘foudres’ (large capacity oak tuns).
The deep ruby-red colour reveals an expressive bouquet characterised by aromas of grape and small wild strawberry. The soft and silky palate reveals a perfect balance of supple tannins and delicious red fruit aromas, delicately leading to a delightfully long flavoursome finish.