Le Clos du Caillou

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Le Clos du Caillou

CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, RHÔNE VALLEY

Under the guidance of longtime winemaker Bruno Gaspard and the Vacheron siblings, Marilou and Axel, Le Clos du Caillou has become one of the most distinctive and admired names in the Rhône Valley. Nestled just 200 metres from Château Rayas, the estate boasts exceptional terroirs ranging from sandy soils to the famous galets roulés, resulting in wines of purity, finesse, and impressive ageing potential.

Though classified as Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, much of the estate actually lies within the geographical boundaries of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In the 1930s, the owners at the time refused to allow their land to be surveyed — a defiant act that meant the estate was never officially included in the appellation. “It’s always funny to see the reaction when Côtes du Rhône La Réserve is tasted blind in a line-up of Châteauneuf-du-Pape,” Marilou says. “The results are often surprising.”

The estate has long been farmed with respect for nature. Their grandfather worked organically before certification existed, and their parents made the decision to formalise that approach: biodynamic practices began in 2003, and full organic certification followed in 2010. “For us, it was a logical next step — but it didn’t actually change how we were farming,” says Axel. “We believe these practices allow the wines to speak more honestly of their origin.”

After the sudden passing of their father, Jean-Denis Vacheron, their mother Sylvie took over the estate, preserving its spirit with great strength and integrity. She ran the domaine with Bruno Gaspard, who has been with Clos du Caillou for over 20 years. Together, they held the course — balancing tradition with quiet innovation — until Marilou and Axel were ready to take the reins.

That moment came in 2016 for Marilou, and 2021 for Axel. “It was a smooth but emotionally rich transition,” Axel reflects. “We weren’t just taking on a business — we were continuing a family legacy.” Both had worked outside the domaine before returning: Marilou studied business and trained across all sectors of the wine industry, while Axel studied viticulture and oenology in Switzerland and made wine in the Loire, Switzerland, Priorat, and the Northern and Southern Rhône, including a stint alongside renowned consultant Philippe Cambie.

“Coming back was a choice of the heart,” says Marilou, “but also a commitment to something meaningful — to bring new energy, but never lose sight of where we come from.” That balance between heritage and evolution is woven into every part of the estate today. Axel now works alongside Bruno in the cellar, where the approach is marked by thoughtful restraint: gentler extractions, fewer punch-downs, and less new oak, with larger formats like foudres and demi-muids favoured for their ability to preserve texture and finesse.

Climate change has become one of their greatest challenges — with earlier harvests, prolonged droughts, and extreme heat shaping the rhythm of each vintage. In response, Axel and Marilou are adapting their practices: adjusting pruning to protect fruit from sunburn, using cover crops to retain soil moisture, and exploring drought-resistant grape varieties like Mourvèdre and Clairette Rose. In the cellar, they aim for balance and freshness — crafting wines with clarity, energy, and elegance, even in warmer years.

Bruno’s influence remains a cornerstone. “He’s a visionary,” says Axel, “and also a mentor — someone who believes in experimentation, humility, and thinking long-term. He taught us that winemaking isn’t just about great wine — it’s about caring for the land so it can thrive for future generations.”

That philosophy extends to every decision — from reducing the estate’s environmental footprint to developing new projects like Domaine de Panisse, a family property acquired in 2020 with old vines, including Grenache planted in 1921. “It’s an incredible opportunity,” Marilou says. “We want to help this land reach its full potential.”

Looking ahead, the siblings hope to deepen the estate’s identity with more single-parcel cuvées — wines that reflect their place, their vintage, and the philosophy behind them. “We don’t believe in revolution,” says Marilou. “But we do believe in quiet progress — in making thoughtful changes, staying grounded in who we are, and continuing to build strong relationships with our team, our land, and the people who drink our wines around the world.”

The Wines

Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc Bouquet des Garrigues
Côtes-du-Rhône Le Caillou Rouge
Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge Bouquet des Garrigues
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres
Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz
Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Réserve

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In Conversation with Le Clos du Caillou

In Conversation with Marilou and Axel Vacheron of Le Clos…