The Château de la Croix des Pins: a dream come true

Jean-Pierre Valade, a professional oenologist, is a winemaker who has had the privilege of traveling the world. During his twenty-five years as an international consulting oenologist, one dream, consistently, occupied his mind: to become a winemaker. This dream took a very specific form in his imagination: an old oak tree, a stone wall, and himself, observing his friends working the vines. The dream became reality the day he met Mrs. Avon, the former owner, who gave him a tour of the estate. That day, he discovered the magical landscape of the Dentelles de Montmirail, serenaded by the songs of cicadas. She took him to the most beautiful spot on the estate, which, to his great surprise, was a dry stone wall topped with a century-old oak tree surrounded by vines. With his lifelong friend, Éric, the dream came true, and the old oak gave its name to a Grand Vin Blanc du Ventoux.

Where is the estate, and what awaits visitors?

Winemakers at the foot of Mont Ventoux

This realized dream allows Éric and Jean-Pierre to live out their values and bring their credo of being "Producers of Emotions" to life. Through their wines, of course, but also through oenotourism, for those who have the pleasure of visiting the estate. Located in the southern Rhône Valley, in Mazan, Château de la Croix des Pins is ideally positioned for both visual and gustatory pleasure. In a fully renovated 16th-century Provençal bastide at the center of the estate, wines are tasted, and visitors are welcomed. Here, one can enjoy the pleasure of admiring both the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux, with a good glass of organic wine in hand. The exceptional view of this vineyard is complemented by a terroir and climate naturally favorable to viticulture. Their vineyard is cultivated organically, allowing them to share their passion for wine while respecting this magnificent environment. It is an idyllic setting that allows one to rediscover the colors of nature, the aromas of the vineyard, and the presence of delightful and passionate people.

What wines does the estate produce?

Quality organic wines

Thanks to the combination of this unique terroir and Jean-Pierre’s oenological expertise, the Domaine de la Croix des Pins produces several high-quality organic wines. The vineyard spans twenty-two hectares within the UNESCO-designated “Biosphere Reserve,” seven hectares in the Gigondas appellation, and four hectares in the Beaumes-de-Venise appellation. This extensive terroir allows Syrah, Marselan, Cinsault, Grenache, and Mourvèdre to flourish in red; and Marsanne, Roussanne, and Vermentino in white. A broad palette available to this inspired artist. His latest pride? “La Tête à l’Envers.” A red wine without sulfur, organic, and preserved over time through bio-protection. It is the blend of his oenological knowledge and a touch of madness that drives him to continuously seek out healthier, cleaner, and more original products. It’s all him, but above all, it is La Croix des Pins.

Frequently asked questions about Château de la Croix des Pins

Where is Château de la Croix des Pins located?

The estate sits in Mazan, in the southern Rhône Valley, at the foot of Mont Ventoux and facing the Dentelles de Montmirail. A restored 16th-century Provençal bastide welcomes visitors for tastings and wine tourism.

Who is the winemaker behind the estate?

Jean-Pierre Valade, an oenologist with twenty-five years of international consulting, founded the property with his lifelong friend Éric. The pair describe themselves as « Producers of Emotions », shaped by both the vines and the welcome they offer.

Which grape varieties does the estate grow?

The reds draw on Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Marselan, while the whites blend Marsanne, Roussanne and Vermentino. Around twenty-two hectares span several sites and micro-climates.

Are the wines farmed organically?

Yes, the entire vineyard is worked organically. That mindset also drives unusual bottlings, such as a red made without added sulfur and kept stable through bio-protection rather than conventional additives.

What appellations does the vineyard cover?

Its twenty-two hectares lie within a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve, part in Gigondas and part in Beaumes-de-Venise. The estate also makes a Ventoux white named after a century-old oak growing on the property.