The winemaking tradition of the Brunel family dates back to the 17th century. Gaston Brunel, a famous negociant, acquired the Chateau de la Gardine in Chateauneuf du Pape in 1945. The estate is now run by his two sons, Patrick and Maxime with the help of their wives Eve and Maryse and their children Marie-Odile and Philippe. The estate spreads over 52 ha of vineyards (48 ha of red and 4 ha of white) and 20 ha of forests, all gathered around the property. The domaine is famous for the quality of their wines and for the unique Gardine bottle. Today around 70% of the production is exported in about 30 countries. In 1998, feeling the potential of the Lirac terroir, they also bought the Chateau Saint Roch in Roquemaure (40 ha), where a selection of red, white, and rose wines is produced. It is Eve Brunel, who is also the oenologist for both La Gardine and St Roch, who runs the estate. Robert Parker says: ?Not to be overlooked is the Brunel family?s Chateau Saint Roch estate in Lirac, from which some terrific bargains emerge.? Today the Brunel family comes back to the negoce tradition in the family with ?Brunel de le Gardine?, allowing them to offer a wide range of both Southern and Northern Rhone appellations. Patrick Brunel chooses the best wines from each appellation using trustful relations with top winegrowers in the area. The family then uses all their knowledge and experience blending and maturing the wines, respecting tradition and the typicity of each terroir. The quality packaging, with the Gardine special bottle, is the signature of this fine selection. In 1998, feeling the potential of the Lirac terroir, they also bought the Chateau Saint Roch in Roquemaure (40 ha), where a selection of red, white, and rose wines is produced. It is Eve Brunel, who is also the oenologist for both La Gardine and St Roch, who runs the estate. Today the Brunel family comes back to the negoce tradition in the family with ?Brunel de le Gardine?, allowing them to offer a wide range of both Southern and Northern Rhone appellations. Patrick Brunel chooses the best wines from each appellation using trustful relations with top winegrowers in the area. The family then uses all their knowledge and experience blending and maturing the wines, respecting tradition and the typicity of each terroir. The quality packaging, with the Gardine special bottle, is the signature of this fine selection.
