Vacqueyras Le Village, Domaine Montirius 2024

Domaine Montirius is one of the Southern Rhône’s benchmark biodynamic estates, founded by Éric and Christine Saurel and today recognised for producing some of the region’s most transparent and terroir driven wines. Based in Sarrians, between Gigondas and Vacqueyras, the domaine farms around sixty hectares across a mosaic of limestone, clay and sandy soils, with all vineyards certified biodynamic since the late 1990s. The name Montirius itself is derived from the names of the family members, MON for Monique, TI for Éric’s father Elie dit Titi, and RIUS from the family surname Saurel. Éric Saurel has long been regarded as one of the pioneers of sulphur free winemaking in the Rhône, working with native yeasts, minimal intervention and élevage methods designed to preserve energy and site expression rather than weight or oak influence. The wines have gained a strong following for combining the generosity of the Southern Rhône with unusual freshness, precision and drinkability.

Vacqueyras Le Village is sourced from biodynamically farmed vineyards surrounding the village of Vacqueyras, where limestone rich clay soils and the influence of the Dentelles de Montmirail help preserve freshness and structure within the warm Southern Rhône climate. Rather than producing an overly powerful or extracted interpretation of the appellation, Montirius focuses on energy, aromatic lift and drinkability, allowing the fruit and terroir to remain at the centre of the wine. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts and gentle extraction, followed by élevage in concrete and neutral vessels to maintain purity and texture without masking the character of the vineyard. The 2024 vintage produced wines with bright fruit definition and notable freshness, giving the wine an especially vibrant profile. The wine shows black cherry, blackberry and wild strawberry, layered with violet florals, cracked pepper, dried thyme and subtle earthy spice. The palate is supple yet structured, with fine tannins, lively acidity and a savoury mineral finish that captures both the warmth and the lifted precision of Vacqueyras in Montirius’ hands.

Origin France, Rhône Valley, Vacqueyras

Grapes Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre

Vintage 2024

Alcohol 14.0%

Style Fresh, savoury, structured

Bottle size 75cl

Winemaking Indigenous yeast fermentation with gentle extraction and élevage in concrete and neutral vessels to preserve freshness, texture and terroir expression with minimal intervention

Notes Biodynamic, Low intervention, Sustainable Viticulture