La Suzienne is a cooperative cellar based in Suze la Rousse, located on the south end of Drôme Provençale. On the edges of Grignan-les- Adhémar and of Côtes du Rhône Villages vineyards, Suze la Rousse, hotspot for Provencal Tradition is known both for its renowned wines and its feudal castle overlooking the cellar and hosting the famous Wine University.
Not too far from the markets of Comtat Venaissin and Dauphiné foothills, La Suzienne land covers 22 towns within a triangle linking Montélimar Tulette and Bollène. In these various landscapes mixing oaks, truffle oaks, lavender and olive tree, the soil displays variety - rocky on the plateau but clayey in the plains. Nature also benefits from very specific microclimates. From Grignan to Suze this richness allows to offer a panel of wines wide enough to be representative of the land cover.
La Suzienne produces 3 main Appellations - Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages and Grignan-les-Adhémar. The wine growers from La Suzienne particularly care about this last one, a new Appellation from the Rhone valley since October 2010. From its situation and settings, the cellar covers about 40% of it, which places La Suzienne as the first producer for this young terroir-labeled Appellation.
A new Appellation "Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze la Rousse". The INAO (National Institute of Appellations of Origin) has recognized the Appellation "Côtes du Rhône Villages Suze la Rousse". The Appellation CDR Villages Suze la Rousse benefits from the climate and the charm of the Drôme Provençale, surrounded by lavender and truffle oaks. The very diversified soils can be at the same time stony, with rolled pebbles or clay-limestones, where the main grape varieties Grenache (60%), Syrah (20%) and Carignan (12%) blossom. The parcel area delimited in AOP Côtes du Rhône Villages in the territory of Suze la Rousse represents 2,607 hectares and extends over 4 communes : Bollène in Vaucluse, Bouchet, Suze la Rousse and Tulette in the Drôme.
Today La Suzienne remains a cellar that has been able to evolve and follow, if not precede, the great technological innovations to perfect its wine making processes. All the efforts made by the wine growers on the one hand, combined with the cellar’s work on the other hand, particularly in the qualitative perspective engaged, bear fruit today. The cellar is supported in this quality process and norms HACCP by COFRAC authorized LACO-CREDO lab, also located in Suze la Rousse in the lower parts of the castle. Within the framework of training its teams and wine grower, the cellar works closely and in partnership with the Wine University hosts in the castle itself.
The cellar as well as the castle represents a key driving force to the touristic activity of Suze La Rousse. Our strong and friendly relation shop with both the castle and the Wine University allow passing on collectively our Suzien heritage to our faithful visitors.