Domaine de la Mordorée: Enological Excellence in the Heart of the Vallée du RhôneImmersed amidst the captivating hills of the Vallée du Rhône, Domaine de la Mordorée is much more than a winery: it is a compelling story that began in 1986, thanks to the vision and dedication of Francis Delorme and his son Christophe.
This domaine spans across several prestigious appellations of the region, including Tavel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhône, Vin de France, and Condrieu, embracing a vineyard of 60 hectares, divided into 40 parcels spread across 8 municipalities.
Over the course of three decades, Christophe Delorme, driven by a true "Amour de la terre" – a profound love for the land – elevated Domaine de la Mordorée among the greatest in the region.
Today, under the management of Madeleine Delorme, Christophe's wife, and their daughter Ambre, the winery keeps the passion alive, continuing the work initiated by Christophe alongside the team he formed.
The objective remains unchanged over time: to produce the finest wines possible.
The name "La Mordorée," poetically inspired by the woodcock, is accompanied by four cuvées, each bearing a name that embodies the soul of their distinctive labels: "La Remise" – Vin de France, "La Dame Rousse" – Lirac and Tavel, "La Dame voyageuse" – Châteauneuf du Pape, "La Reine des Bois" – Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac, and Tavel.
The domaine embraces sustainable agricultural practices since its inception, with the conversion to organic farming initiated in 2010 and completed in 2013.
The choice to cultivate the vineyard with two distinct methods, the gobelet for older vines and the cordon de Royat for younger ones, reflects a unique awareness of the territory and its needs.
The vineyard, for Domaine de la Mordorée, is much more than cultivated land; it is a delicate ecosystem to be preserved. The density of earthworms, an indicator of soil health, is integral to an approach to viticulture that promotes biodiversity and minimizes environmental impact.
The presence of grass between the vines is not only tolerated but welcomed as a sign of soil health, protecting against the risk of erosion and promoting the presence of natural predators of harmful insects.
Harvesting is a completely manual operation, a tribute to the delicacy required to handle the grape clusters with the utmost care. Harvesters meticulously follow instructions to collect only the best, with a second check performed by experts before vinification. Over a hundred maturity checks are conducted before and during harvests, ensuring that each parcel is harvested at the optimal time.
Vinification is where technology meets art, and at Domaine de la Mordorée, it is a secret art. Respect for nature guides the cellar's choices, with the aim of bringing out the sublimity of the Vallée du Rhône terroirs without the use of artifices. Fermentation is carefully monitored through regular checks and analyses.
Attention to quality begins in the vineyards with the quest for perfect, ripe, and healthy grapes. Vinification aims to create concentrated wines, with tannins harmoniously fused into a dense structure, permeated with fruit and enjoyable in their youth, yet with the potential for long aging, revealing the complexity of the terroir over the years.
Additionally, "La Plume du peintre" joins the other cuvées in exceptional vintages.
Dedication to biodiversity is a cornerstone of Domaine de la Mordorée: certified Biodynamie Demeter since 2020, organic since 2013, and HVE (Haute valeur environnementale) level 3 since 2019, the vineyard stands as an example of a sustainable ecosystem.
The resilience shown during extraordinary events, such as the floods of 2002 and the heatwave of 2003, testifies to the strength of an approach dedicated to respecting natural balance.
