Chateau Unang

Chateau Unang is a wine estate (domaine viticole) located just outside the village of Malemort-du-Comtat in the Vaucluse department of Provence, France. It sits within the Ventoux appellation (AOC Ventoux) and is one of the oldest recorded wine-growing sites in that appellation, with origins traceable to the Carolingian era. The property occupies the site of the villa Unango, mentioned in the 9th-century cartulary of the Bishopric of Carpentras. Today it is owned and run by James and Joanna King, both of Scottish descent, who have lived at the estate since 2003. James King is the winemaker; Joanna King handles marketing, promoting the wines in local restaurants and at wine shows in France and abroad. The estate is a small, family-run operation with a team that includes office manager Dominique and vineyard caretaker Mohammed, who has tended the vines for around four decades. The domaine covers approximately 20 hectares of vines planted on south-facing clay-limestone soils with galets roulés (rolled pebbles), at altitudes between 220 and 300 metres. This elevation allows a natural spread of ripening over about three weeks. The vineyard is surrounded by oak forest, which shelters it from the mistral wind and helps protect against cryptogamic diseases. Red grape varieties make up about 90% of the vineyard, including grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan and cinsault, while white varieties roussanne and clairette complete the plantings. The estate practises organic viticulture with yields limited to 35 hectolitres per hectare. Red wines are made by classical vinification with long maceration to produce wines for ageing; whites undergo direct pressing and skin maceration. The first rosé vinification was for the 2013 vintage, using cinsault, grenache and syrah grown near the château. Chateau Unang produces a range of Ventoux wines — red, rosé and white — and sells directly from its caveau (tasting room) at the estate, as well as through local restaurants and wine shows. The estate is described as one of the most renowned and admired in the Ventoux appellation, which the owners note is finally receiving the respect it merits. Visitors can taste wines at the caveau during opening hours, book tastings and visits to the chai (winery), or enjoy tastings with cheese. The property is located on the Route de Methamis, about a kilometre beyond the end of Malemort-du-Comtat, in a secluded spot hidden from view and sheltered from the mistral. The château itself has a long history: in 867, the Bishop of Venasque was given Château Unang by the King of Provence, and the site is cited in a copy of an act dated 875 in the cartulary of the Bishopric of Carpentras, confirming a grant by King Charles of Provence to Jean, Bishop of Carpentras, of vast domains including the villa Unango with its dependencies, slaves, lands and vines. This makes it the first historic site of the AOC Ventoux. The current owners have maintained the estate as a working vineyard and wine producer, combining this heritage with modern organic farming and winemaking.

The site of Chateau Unang has a history dating back to the Carolingian period. It occupies the location of the villa Unango, cited in the 9th century in the cartulary of the Bishopric of Carpentras. According to a copy of an act dated 875, King Charles of Provence confirmed that he had given to Jean, Bishop of Carpentras — then a refugee at Venasque — vast domains including the villa Unango with "its dependencies, slaves, lands and vines." This makes Chateau Unang the first historic site of the AOC Ventoux appellation. The official website also notes that in 867, the Bishop of Venasque was given Château Unang by the King of Provence. For many centuries the estate remained a wine-growing property in the Ventoux area of Provence. The modern chapter began in 2003, when James and Joanna King, both of Scottish descent, moved to Chateau Unang and took over the domaine. James King became the winemaker, while Joanna King took charge of marketing, representing the wines at local restaurants and at wine shows in France and abroad. The couple have lived at the estate with their children Elva and Valentine, and the property is also home to dogs, horses and a cat. The vineyard team includes Mohammed, who has cared for the vines for around 40 years, and Dominique, who manages the office. Under the Kings, the estate has focused on producing the best possible wine from its unique terroir within the Ventoux appellation. The vineyard, covering 20 hectares, is planted on south-facing clay-limestone soils with rolled pebbles at altitudes of 220 to 300 metres, surrounded by oak forest that shelters it from the mistral and helps protect against cryptogamic diseases. Red varieties — grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan and cinsault — account for about 90% of plantings, with white varieties roussanne and clairette making up the rest. The estate is farmed organically with yields limited to 35 hectolitres per hectare. Red wines are vinified classically with long maceration for ageing; whites are directly pressed and vinified with skin maceration. The first rosé was produced for the 2013 vintage, from cinsault, grenache and syrah grown near the château, with cinsault and grenache left in contact with their skins before pressing and syrah pressed immediately after picking, fermented at cool temperatures (15–18 °C) in stainless steel for over two weeks. The estate sells its wines directly from the caveau at the domaine, as well as through local restaurants and wine shows. Visitors can taste the wines at the caveau during opening hours, book tastings and visits to the chai, or enjoy tastings with cheese. The property is located just outside Malemort-du-Comtat on the road to Methamis, in the Vaucluse, about 13 km from a nearby landmark (as noted on the website). The domaine remains a small, family-run operation, proud to be one of the most renowned and admired in the Ventoux appellation.

• 2013

  First vinification of rosé wine at Chateau Unang.

• 2003

  James and Joanna King moved to Chateau Unang and took over the estate.

• The Bishop of Venasque was given Château Unang by the King of Provence.

• A copy of an act in the cartulary of the Bishopric of Carpentras confirms King Charles of Provence granted vast domains including the villa Unango to Jean, Bishop of Carpentras.

Family-run organic estate in the Ventoux AOC, producing terroir-driven wines from a historic site; one of the most renowned and admired domaines in the appellation.

• Ventoux Red

  Red wine from grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, carignan and cinsault, made by classical vinification with long maceration for ageing.

• Ventoux Rosé

  Rosé first produced in 2013 from cinsault, grenache and syrah grown near the château; cinsault and grenache left in contact with skins before pressing, syrah pressed immediately, fermented at 15–18 °C in stainless steel.

• Ventoux White

  White wine from roussanne and clairette, made by direct pressing and skin maceration.

1. 1Chateau Unang — Fine Ventoux wineschateau-unang.com
2. 2Who we arechateau-unang.com
3. 3Château Unang — Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Château Unang — Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org