Located at one of the highest points in Châteaneuf-du-Pape, Château Font du Loup, which translates to 'fountain of the wolves', is named after the natural springs in the area where the wolves would come to drink. Font du Loup has been in the Melia family since 1942 and is now run by the extremely charming Anne Charlotte Melia-Bachas with her husband Laurent and the help of consultant Philippe Cambie. Font du Loup has roughly 20 hectares (organically farmed), including holdings in the La Crau and Font du Loup vineyards, and is planted on mostly sandy soil with vines that reach 100 years old. It is located in one of the coolest appellation places with slow ripening of the grapes. The wines are made in an elegant, pure, pretty style and are as warm and inviting as the good Anne-Charlotte and Laurent.
The Terroir
The soil is mostly sand with rocks. Usually the sand is not the most appropriate soil for vineyard because it doesn’t keep enough water. But the water spring nearby creates a phreatic water is only 50 meters deep. So the vineyard can irrigate itself when it needs. It is located in one of the coolest appellation places with slow ripening of the grapes.
The Vinification
Grapes are hand-picked, selected and put in small crates to keep the grapes intact. They are doing a plot fermentation in barrels or tanks with indigenous yeasts.
The Legend
The estate was built close to a natural spring where wolves from the Mont Ventoux went to drink. This is the origin of the estate’s name: The fountain of the wolves.