Domaine de la Bastide, located in Visan in the southern Rhône, was founded by Bernard and Nicole Boyer in 1989. For twenty years, Bernard worked as an agricultural engineer, and in 1988, he and his wife were able to purchase her family's farm and fulfill Bernard's dream of having his own estate. Today, their son Vincent runs the 100 hectares of vineyards in Visan and Suze-la-Rousse. The family lives in an 800-year-old, fortified farmhouse that was built by the Knights Templar, which includes vestiges of an ancient Roman wine vat. Over the years, Vincent has amassed an impressive collection of Roman coins and artifacts he found while working among his vines. All of Vincent's wines are 100% destemmed and fermented in concrete or stainless steel vats to preserve the freshness and purity of fruit while keeping the tannins soft and easy. The estate is in the process of gaining organic certification.

Domaine de la Bastide's Visan Côtes du Rhône-Villages is a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre from vines that average 30 years of age in soils littered with large, round stones. The Grenache is hand-harvested and all grapes are fully destemmed before fermentation in a mix of stainless steel and concrete followed by 6 to 8 months aging in tank and concrete. The result is a soft, rich and concentrated wine bursting with ripe black fruit and spice flavors. Mid-purple color with a soft ruby rim. The nose is expressive with ripe blueberry and fig notes intermingled with nuances of gingerbread and toast. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with soft, mouthcoating tannins balanced by a discreet acidity that frames the lovely baked fruit flavors as they lead into a lush, decadent finish. Enjoy with smoky barbecue chicken or beef brisket.