Domain: Château Sisqueille

Château Sisqueille, a great estate of more than 130 hectares adjoining a Rivesaltes family wine merchant, is a key player in the region. In 1873, the Château – then known as Rey-Pailhade – was acquired in a candle auction by Joseph Sisqueille. A very small quantity of his first harvest – from 1874 – still remains! His son Alexandre took over the reins, but died on his return from the front lines of the Great War. Two different bearers of the name Henri Sisqueille – first his son, then his grandson (who shared the same name) – then took up the family banner and produced this unique collection, kept as a legacy for future generations. It is now the property of Marie Sisqueille, who has, since the death of her father Henri in 1979, carried on the tradition of vins doux naturels (Rivesaltes AOC) on the lands owned by her ancestors. This low-altitude (20 metres) vineyard is located a mere few stone's throws away from the Mediterranean. It grows in a hot, permeable, slightly sandy limestone-clay terroir strewn with many pudding stones. Harvesting is always as late as possible in order to enable the grapes to reach optimal maturity. The wines are produced using the vin doux naturel production process (fortification using neutral grape spirit) from a blend of the three Grenache grapes (Noir, Gris/Rose and Blanc) with a strong bias in favour of Grenache Noir, especially in the older vintages. A handful of Maccabeo and Malvoisie vines make up the full picture. All these wines are conscientiously stored in the family cellar, often in their original containers. Bottlings are regularly held at the Château to ensure these treasures can be enjoyed by wine lovers from around the world.