From the Ethiopian highlands to the Provençal garrigue, the epic story of Château Paquette
Explorers at heart, winemakers by vocation, Marcel and Gilberte Paquette satisfied their wanderlust in Ethiopia before laying the foundations for a deep-rooted presence in the volcanic soils of the Estérel. Passed down through generations, the vineyard they acquired in 1952 has become a jewel of the Côtes de Provence Fréjus appellation. With fervor and emotion, Jérôme Paquette recounts the remarkable story of this estate, where distant aromas of spices, jasmine, and bergamot still linger.
Marriage of a Lion and a Vine
In 1963, Gilberte bottled her first wine, the 1962 vintage. She then made a series of bold decisions, such as importing the Rolle grape variety to her land, which at the time lacked white grapes. After tasting and enjoying a Belay in a Nice restaurant, this remarkable woman requested permission to cultivate Rolle while still benefiting from the "Côtes de Provence" appellation. Receiving no refusal, she acquired some grafts from a plot abandoned by Baron Henri de Rasque de Laval of Domaine Sainte Roseline. She entrusted these small cuttings to a nurseryman, planted them on her land, and four years later, celebrated her first vintage of white wine in style! This taste for adventure is in her blood… A few years later, Gilberte's son, Jean, a graduate of HEC Paris and destined for a bright future in a consulting firm, decided to leave it all behind. He returned to his roots, to the place where his family history is rooted, to write a new chapter. With his wife Pascale, they modernized the winery, expanded the vineyard, and worked towards the recognition of the Côtes de Provence Fréjus appellation. Their son, Jérôme, pursued a scientific career. But the call of the land and the memory of his childhood spent on Tintin's tractor – the estate's vineyard manager – proved stronger. He trained as an oenologist (INB) and, in turn, took over the reins with his wife in 2004. They celebrated the 60th anniversary of the family saga in 2013, and on this occasion, renamed the estate "Château Paquette" in homage to the founding commitment of Marcel and Gilberte. The estate's seal, depicting the Lion of Judah, recalls their time in Ethiopia and symbolizes the union of their two beloved lands.
Extending the family legacy with committed and respectful viticulture
Following in the footsteps of his pioneering and visionary grandmother, Jérôme perpetuates the innovative spirit of Château Paquette. Committed to respectful viticulture, he was rewarded in 2014 with organic certification. "Further, higher." This could be his motto. For over the next ten years, he guided the estate towards biodynamics, a vibrant and demanding form of viticulture, in harmony with the rhythms of nature. He was thus awarded biodynamic (Demeter) certification in 2024. And while the volcanic rock and marine influence impart remarkable minerality and freshness to his wines, Jérôme doesn't stop there: he revitalizes his soils with the famous "horn manure." He readily acknowledges the somewhat esoteric aspect of the approach, but explains philosophically: " If it doesn't do any good, it doesn't do any harm either! " and gives himself a decade to draw conclusions about the benefits of his experiment. Meanwhile, he meticulously tends each plot of his estate. The wines are vinified with precision in a modern cellar that respects the natural balance of the grapes. The harvest takes place early in the morning, by hand or mechanically depending on the plot, to preserve the freshness of the berries. The wines reflect their terroir: elegant, expressive, and balanced. The Côtes de Provence Fréjus appellation finds a unique expression here thanks to the combination of Mediterranean grape varieties (Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Rolle, etc.) and the winery's expertise. The rosés are distinguished by their aromatic finesse and saline freshness. The reds, more exclusive, reveal notes of black fruit, spices, and garrigue. As for the whites, they seduce with their vivacity and floral elegance.
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