From Bois Sénéchaux to the Cazes family estate
The name Domaine des Sénéchaux comes from the Bois Sénéchaux field, one of the estate's most important plots. Vines have been documented here since the 14th century, making the estate one of the oldest in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The appellation itself owes its name to Pope John XXII, who had a summer residence built near Avignon – the news of the construction of this “new castle” has shaped the entire region to this day.
In the 1950s, under the Raynaud family, the winery reached the vineyard area it still covers today. In 1993, Pascal Roux, already a winemaker in Gigondas at the time, took over the business and fundamentally restructured the vineyards and winery. In 2006, the Cazes family – owners of the Bordeaux estates Château Lynch-Bages and Château Haut-Batailley in Pauillac – acquired Domaine des Sénéchaux. Since 2018, the Pradon family has been managing the business as co-owners together with the Cazes family, bringing new momentum to the estate.
Terroir care with a Bordeaux signature
The approximately 27 hectares of vines are located on some of the most noble soils of the appellation, on the left bank of the Rhône between Avignon and Orange: wide terraces of red clay, interspersed with the characteristic quartz pebbles that store heat during the day and release it to the vines at night. Since the takeover in 2006, the Cazes family has been working systematically on upgrading the vine stock, with special care for the plant material and with consideration for the environment. The old Grenache vines, a symbol of the winery's continuity, are tended with particular care.
Bernard Tranchecoste was long entrusted with the daily care of the vines, bringing the vineyards back into shape and modernizing the operation. The partnership with the Pradon family since 2018 complements this work with additional oenological experience and combines Bordeaux precision with the character of the southern Rhône Valley.
Power and finesse from Châteauneuf-du-Pape
The red Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine des Sénéchaux is based on Grenache, supplemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre and small proportions of Cinsault and Vaccarèse. It is aged in a combination of old wooden barrels, foudres and concrete tanks. In the glass, it shows black cherry, black olives, garrigue and a hint of licorice; the tannin is supple, the body full yet accessible. It pairs well with braised lamb shoulder, game birds or aged goat cheese.
The rare white cuvée, harvested from only about three hectares, relies on Roussanne in combination with Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc. It shows stone fruit, honey blossom and a mineral-salty note, carried by a present acidity. Serving temperature around 12–14 °C allows both styles to best unfold their profile – the white also with grilled fish or fresh goat cheese, the red with braised beef or lamb dishes with herbs from Provence.
