1. Arsilac
  2. News and advice: the blog
  3. FOCUS ON... Château de Vaubonne

FOCUS ON... Château de Vaubonne

Wine Estate at the Foot of Mont Ventoux

Château de Vaubonne (also known as Château de La Boissière) is a historic wine estate located in Flassan, in the Vaucluse region of southeastern France. Recently taken over by Delphine and Victor-Emmanuel Minot, the estate is deeply rooted in a prestigious terroir at the foot of the Mont Ventoux. This ambitious project combines heritage, sustainable viticulture, and modern technical facilities This focus highlights the estate's winemaking philosophy, its unique terroir, and the technical value brought by Arsilac in the tank room and vinification processes.

Château de Vaubonne Estate
instagram.com/chateau_de_vaubonne
Château de Vaubonne - Google

arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-1
 
arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-3
 
📸 Photo credits © CHATEAU DE VAUBONNE | @chateau_de_vaubonne


 

Introducing the Estate

Château de Vaubonne (also known as Château de La Boissière) is located in the commune of Flassan, in the Vaucluse department of southern France, at approximately 435 meters above sea level, on the southern slope of Mont Ventoux. This geographical location gives the estate a distinctive Mediterranean-influenced microclimate—hot summers, cool nights, optimal sun exposure, and partial protection from the mistral wind—all key factors that contribute to the natural aromatic expression of the grapes.

The estate’s rich heritage and architectural identity are firmly rooted in the regional Provençal tradition. The château itself is built in the classic local style, surrounded by a park of majestic oak trees and a forest of holm and green oaks typical of the Ventoux foothills. The vineyard sits on an exceptional limestone terroir, enriched with colluvial deposits from the mountain above. This provides naturally structured soils and excellent drainage, helping to reduce humidity risks and enhance the aromatic concentration of the grapes.

The Vaubonne vineyard features a diverse selection of grape varieties, including Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Clairette, and Carignan. These traditional AOC Ventoux varietals are perfectly adapted to the estate’s climate—marked by warmth, intense sunshine, and mineral-rich soils—and are used to craft red, white, and rosé wines that strike a balance between power, freshness, and aromatic complexity.

In terms of vineyard management, Château de Vaubonne is certified organic and is currently transitioning toward biodynamic practices, reflecting a deep commitment to respecting natural ecosystems. Soil health is managed through controlled grass cover between the rows, combined with alternating mechanical and manual interventions such as shallow tilling, shoot thinning, and selective pruning. These methods help preserve microbial life, limit erosion, and make the vineyard more resilient to climate variability, supporting the estate’s goal of producing wines that authentically reflect their terroir.

At its core, Château de Vaubonne is guided by values of environmental stewardship, quality-driven winemaking, and regional identity. The estate actively contributes to the preservation of the Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park, supports local biodiversity, and promotes sustainable tourism through hiking trails, heritage discovery, and immersive vineyard experiences. These commitments position Vaubonne as a benchmark estate within the AOC Ventoux appellation, and a compelling model of responsible viticulture in southern France.

arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-2
 
📸 Photo credits © CHATEAU DE VAUBONNE | @chateau_de_vaubonne


Winery Construction Project Overview

Delphine and Victor-Emmanuel Minot, owners of Château de Vaubonne, bring a modern and meticulous vision to the estate’s winemaking development. Originally from Charente and Burgundy, they combine viticultural heritage, Burgundian expertise, and a deep connection to the Provençal terroir. Their personal and professional backgrounds reflect a strong commitment to environmentally responsible practices, precision winemaking, and innovation in harmony with the land. The estate’s communications consistently highlight deliberate, long-term choices—plot enhancement, orientation, grape selection—guided by sustainability.

The new winery has been constructed within the northwest wing of the traditional farmhouse. The project involved masonry, electrical systems, plumbing, façade restoration, and concrete work to create a production space ready for the estate’s first harvest and vinification. The goal: to establish a facility that optimizes the flow from grape reception to pressing, fermentation, and ageing—within a rational, scalable environment designed to support the estate’s progressive growth.

The winery’s layout was designed with three core priorities :
• Preserve the integrity of the harvest – via gentle reception and controlled transfers
• Ensure fermentation precision – through temperature control, stainless steel hygiene, and full traceability
• Enable parcel-specific flexibility – allowing for multi-varietal handling, micro-vinifications, and separate batch management

Adjacent to the Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park, the project also reflects an overarching strategy built around energy efficiency, durable materials, and hygienic safety for wine production.


arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-4       arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-6
     
arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-5   arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-7

 

arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-8
 
📸 Photo credits © CHATEAU DE VAUBONNE | @chateau_de_vaubonne




Arsilac Equipment Selected by the Estate

To support the first vinifications at Château de Vaubonne, Arsilac supplied a set of stainless steel tanks tailored to the estate’s technical requirements and the diversity of its grape varieties.

Equipped with honeycomb cooling jackets, dished bottoms, and floating lids, the high-performance equipment selected includes :
⭢ 3 stainless steel 304 tanks of 958 liters – Reference 006409
⭢ 2 stainless steel 304 tanks of 1,615 liters – Reference 006408

These food-grade stainless steel tanks ensure outstanding hygiene, long-term durability, and precise temperature control during fermentation. Their floating lid design allows for improved oxygen management, helping to preserve delicate aromas while guaranteeing microbiological safety throughout the winemaking process.

arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-12       arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-10


arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-11
arsilac-actualite-chateau-vaubonne-9


Thank You to Château de Vaubonne for Their Trust

The project benefited from technical support in sizing the tanks, defining harvest scenarios, and selecting thermal regulation solutions. The approach was designed to provide an agile vinification system—capable of handling multiple parcels, staggered ripeness levels, and distinct profiles for white, rosé, and red wines.

Arsilac warmly thanks Delphine and Victor-Emmanuel Minot for placing their trust in us to supply equipment tailored to the specific needs of Château de Vaubonne. This collaboration reflects the perfect blend of heritage and innovation, resulting in a precision-driven winery producing fresh, balanced, and characterful wines that truly express the Ventoux AOC identity.



✖ Still unsure whether your project is feasible ?

Investing in high-quality stainless steel winery equipment means contributing to the success of your production—and the satisfaction of your customers. Feel free to contact an Arsilac representative for more information or to explore the stainless steel tank models best suited to your needs.



#wineryequipment #stainlesssteeltank #chateaudevaubonne #vauclusewine #winemaking #arsilac


_
Note : This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. It is recommended to consult with experts and comply with the specific regulations applicable to each industry.