History

Created by Hippolyte Boudau in the 1920s with just a few plots of vines, Domaine Boudau grew in size during the post-war years. When Hippolyte died in 1940, his son, Henri, took over his vision of viticulture which led him to plant a majority of black Grenache vines, making it possible to convert to the production of dry wines. He himself chose the plots in the celebrated vineyards of Châteuneuf. Where most people were growing more productive grape varieties, he chose to plant a variety that, although ‘temperamental’, offered great potential and genuinely thrived on the estate’s limestone-clay soils. When Henri suddenly died in 1967 at the age of 44, he left his wife, Anne–Marie, and three young children a 60-hectare (148-acre) estate devoted to the production of fortified wines (Vins Doux Naturels). However, the market for VDN wines was tailing off and the latter part of the 1980s was a very difficult period for this traditional Roussillon estate.

In 1992, a decision had to be taken – the estate was to increase its production of dry wine and put the accent on the fabulous potential of its ‘terroirs’.

In 1993, Véronique and Pierre each gave up their respective careers to take up the challenge. A new page was turned, full of hope and ambition, for a property with great sentimental value.