Dating back to the 13th century, Château de la Selve was originally a stronghold on the borders of the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France. Benoit Chazallon’s family bought the property in 1990. As a teenager, Benoît worked in the vineyards and cellars of the region and, after school, he concluded his viticulture studies in Beaune. It was at the completion of these studies that he convinced his father to buy some existing vineyards, acquired through the local co-operative. Today, there are a total of 98 acres in production, planted to six different varieties. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier intermingle with the indigenous herbs and plants of the surrounding garrigue. All the vineyards have been certified organic since 2008. The conversion to biodynamic principles started one year later. Along with Benoît and his wife, Florence, there is a team of seven full-time workers on the farm, growing to a dozen for half the year. Benoit makes a range of expressive, mineral wines that have brought new acclaim to this neglected pocket of the Rhone valley.