Clos du Caillou. Finally a Châteauneuf du Pape... and not just any!
When we started selecting our wineries over a year ago, we hadn't checked the "Châteauneuf-du-Pape" box. We have to admit it… it was a mistake. Especially after tasting the wines from Clos du Caillou again.
The first time I encountered their wines was at a tasting in Alsace. We were both presenting our wines at the same event, and as always happens, we ended up tasting each other's wines. I still remember that day perfectly. So, when I saw them again in Montpellier during the Millésime Bio 2025 fair, I didn't hesitate: I had to try them again.
And thank goodness.
From the first sip, we loved the wines: strong identity, silky palate, pronounced terroir, and good vibes . They put us in a bind: we hadn't gone to that fair looking for a Rhône producer. But when something moves you, you have to listen to it.
Change of plans.
To taste the Rhône.
We reviewed the Millesime Bio catalog, listed the interesting wineries and spent four hours tasting Côtes du Rhône, Gigondas, Vinsobres, Cornas… and, of course, Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
In the end, the decision was crystal clear:
👉 We want Clos du Caillou in our selection.
🏡 A story of family and character
Clos du Caillou is located in the heart of the village of Courthézon , within the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Its history begins in 1956, when Claude Pouizin acquired the estate: an enclave of vineyards surrounded by forests and sandy paths, which from the beginning distinguished itself by its exceptional terroir.
Decades later, their daughter Sylvie Pouizin and her husband Jean-Denis Vacheron —originally from Sancerre—took over, bringing a modern vision without abandoning the traditional spirit. Today, the domaine remains in family hands, with Sylvie and her team continuing the legacy with admirable sensitivity to the land, precision, and authenticity.
🌿 A unique terroir
The name “Clos du Caillou” literally means “the pebble enclosure” , and that is no coincidence.
The vineyard sits on a mixture of safres (compact sands), galets roulés (pebbles) and red clays , warm soils that reflect sunlight and retain heat during the night, favoring a complete and balanced ripening of the grapes.
Part of the estate is located within the official perimeter of Châteauneuf-du-Pape , while another part —by historical decision of its former owners— remained outside the appellation and produces wines in Côtes-du-Rhône , under the same care and level of demand.
The result is wines with a very distinctive identity :
The Côtes-du-Rhône wines are known for their fineness, floral profile, and silky texture.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, on the other hand, combine depth, elegance, and mineral intensity with an energy that is hard to find in the region.
🍷 Viticulture and winemaking: respect as a principle
For more than two decades, Clos du Caillou has been working in certified organic and biodynamic agriculture , with practices that seek to preserve the life of the soil and the natural energy of each plot.
Winemaking is done in a traditional way, with native yeasts and a measured use of wood: foudres, demi-muids and concrete tanks , according to the nature of each cuvée.
Each wine is a reflection of its plot, its soil, and its vintage.
Without artifice, without retouching, without masks.
💬 Why we chose them
At Altervino, we selected Clos du Caillou for several reasons that make it unique:
1️⃣ Absolute authenticity — wines with soul, without makeup.
2️⃣ Consistency between philosophy and result — impeccable viticultural work that is felt in the glass.
3️⃣ Feminine and family sensitivity — Sylvie and her team craft with emotion and precision.
4️⃣ Mediterranean expressiveness without excess — wines of sun, yes, but with freshness, elegance and balance.
After many tastings, visits and conversations, we had no doubt:
Clos du Caillou represents everything we want to share with those who love wine with truth and history.
✨ Our first wines available
Tomorrow, Thursday, November 6, 2025 , we receive our first shipment from Clos du Caillou.
We'll start with three of their most representative works:
Côtes-du-Rhône “Le Caillou Blanc” – freshness and minerality in balance.
Côtes-du-Rhône “Le Caillou Rouge” – pure fruit and delicate texture.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Le Tradition Rouge” – depth, structure and elegance.
Each one of them is a gateway to the sensory universe of Clos du Caillou, and an invitation to discover the best of the Rhône from an authentic, modern and deeply human perspective.
Clos du Caillou is now part of the Altervino family.
And we are convinced that, once you try it, you will understand why.
🍷 Welcome to the Rhône.
Welcome to Clos du Caillou .
