Caroline and Thomas took over Domaine Rouge-Bleu in August 2012, buying an 8-hectare property in Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes along with a 400-year-old farmhouse, part of a winery originally established in 2007. Caroline, a trained winemaker originally from Western Australia, blends the modern techniques she learned there with traditional Rhône winemaking. The estate is certified organic and farmed on biodynamic principles, with some of its old-vine parcels dating back to 1910, 1934, 1955, and 1965, planted on stony, garrigue-covered soil from an ancient riverbed. It's also a woman-led domaine, with Caroline as co-owner and head winemaker alongside Thomas.
Mistral is the estate's signature cuvée, blending old-vine Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre from the Côtes du Rhône Villages Sainte Cécile appellation. It's also certified vegan, made without any animal-derived fining agents. The hand-harvested grapes are crushed but not destemmed, fermented with wild yeast in traditional concrete tanks, and macerated for 17 to 21 days before aging a minimum of 24 months, first in old French oak and then in uncoated concrete. Expect notes of spiced plum, blackberry, and cocoa, with a full, structured palate and fine, well-integrated tannins.
The result is a serious, terroir-driven Rhône red from a woman-led, certified organic and biodynamic estate.