Château de Rhodes

Nestled on the first slopes of both banks of the Tarn River, in a gently rolling landscape reminiscent of Tuscany, Château de Rhodes stands as one of the flagship estates of the AOC Gaillac appellation. Taken over in 2002 by the Lépine family, this historic estate has since experienced a renaissance rooted in high standards, authenticity, and deep respect for the land. Today, the vineyard covers around thirty hectares, with some vines over sixty years old. The south/southwest exposure ensures optimal grape ripeness, essential for crafting balanced and expressive wines.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How is the estate farmed?

Organic since 2011

Starting in 2008 for red wines, and in 2010 for whites, the estate began its conversion to organic farming, achieving full certification in 2011. No chemical weedkillers or synthetic products are used here. The soil is worked by hand or with mechanical tools, and treatments rely on natural substances such as copper, sulfur, essential oils, and clay. Nutrient inputs are made using compost or seaweed, in order to preserve the balance of both the vines and the soil. Yields are carefully controlled through thoughtful pruning, natural grass cover, and adapted harvesting.

Which grape varieties shape the wines?

A Philosophy Rooted in Indigenous Grape Varieties

The estate’s approach is deeply guided by its commitment to the Gaillac identity. Local grape varieties such as Duras, Mauzac, Braucol, Prunelart, Fer Servadou, Ondenc, and Loin de l’Œil are favored and celebrated year after year. The winemaker's ambition is clear: to highlight the unique character of the Gaillac terroir by tightly linking native grapes, distinct soils, and a winemaking process that respects traditional know-how.

How are the wines made and aged?

Traditional vinification and cellar ageing

Vinification follows a traditional method, carried out in concrete vats that allow for gentle temperature variations. Since 2011, only indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grape skins have been used, helping to reveal the true soul of the terroir. Ageing also takes place in these same vats for one to two years, before bottling in an impressive underground cellar, vaulted and lined with traditional Toulouse bricks, covering nearly 280 m². This cellar ensures ideal storage conditions, protected from light and temperature fluctuations, allowing the wines to be released when they are ready to enjoy.

Who is the winemaker behind the estate?

A Passionate and Dedicated Winemaker

The winemaker discovered his passion as a teenager, working alongside his paternal grandfather. Since then, his desire to produce wines he can be proud of has driven him to surpass himself vintage after vintage, investing in both people and equipment to fulfill his vision. He still fondly remembers his first harvest in 2002, a time filled with both anxiety and excitement. His motto, fruor ergo sum (“I enjoy, therefore I am”), reflects the estate’s pursuit of authenticity and pleasure that animates every bottle of Château de Rhodes.

Thanks to unwavering rigor, meticulous care at every stage of vine growing and winemaking, and a strong will to revive the ancestral grape varieties of the Gaillac region, Château de Rhodes is now recognized as a benchmark in the AOC Gaillac appellation. Rooted in a thousand-year-old winemaking tradition, the estate looks confidently toward the future.

Discover the wines of Château de Rhodes directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Château de Rhodes

Where is Château de Rhodes located?

The estate sits on the first slopes lining both banks of the Tarn River, in AOC Gaillac, in South-West France. The rolling scenery brings Tuscany to mind. Around thirty hectares are planted, some of the vines topping sixty years of age.

Which grape varieties does Château de Rhodes grow?

The estate leans on the native Gaillac grapes: Duras, Mauzac, Braucol, Prunelart, Fer Servadou, Ondenc and Loin de l'Œil. This choice puts the appellation's own character front and centre, year after year.

Are Château de Rhodes wines organic?

Yes. The reds moved to organic farming from 2008 and the whites from 2010, with certification granted in 2011. The estate rules out chemical weeding and synthetic inputs entirely: the soil is worked mechanically and treatments stay natural, relying on copper, sulfur, clay and essential oils.

How are the wines vinified and aged?

Vinification runs in concrete vats, using only native yeasts since 2011. The wines then settle for one to two years before heading to bottle, drawn from a vaulted underground space of roughly 280 m² built with traditional Toulouse bricks.

Who runs Château de Rhodes?

The Lépine family took over this historic estate in 2002. The winemaker caught the wine bug as a teenager, working beside his paternal grandfather. His motto, « fruor ergo sum » (I enjoy, therefore I am), captures his pursuit of authenticity and pleasure.