Mas MELLET

Bruce Bolognini, a native of Algues-Vives, grandson of winemaker, has always been immersed in the world of wine. He obtained his agricultural diploma, followed by an internship and a first job in the Pic Saint Loup region, where he discovered reasoned agricultural practices.

In 2002, with his wife, Emilie, they fell under the spell of the Mas Mellet property in the Rhône Valley. This property had belonged to the Bouzanquet family for many generations. The latter had stopped making wine about fifteen years earlier and took the grapes to the cooperative.

However, they fell in love with the property, which covers 27 hectares, of which 20 are in production, 2 to 3 hectares of woodland, and a building (house, outbuildings, private cellar). So in 2002 they bought Mas Mellet and took the grapes to the cooperative for the last time.

Organic and biodynamic wines

With a desire to work organically and then biodynamically, it was necessary to reduce the production area by uprooting and restructuring the vines, replanting old grape varieties endemic to the area and white grape varieties that did not exist on the Winery. This replanting work will continue in 2021 and 2022.

For each new plot planted, Emilie and Bruce Bolognini plant rows of trees (mimosas, pomegranates, olive trees, fig trees, etc.) and hedges in order to create biodiversity and thus reconnect with soil protection and erosion.

Mas Mellet: Winery with respect for nature

In winter, the Winery gives way to sheep.

The principles of respect for the soil, the raw materials, the environment, reasonable yields (around 35hl/ha) and biodiversity have been in place for several years now and this work continues during the vinification in the cellar after the manual harvest in small boxes.

Healthy winemaking

Indigenous yeasts, low inputs and only sulphites at bottling (30mg/l max of total S02). The wine is made as much as possible by gravity, without filtration or fining. The production is entirely worked with these principles and the 400 to 600 Hl per year are sold to a professional clientele, 50% of which is exported!

"Thewines are a little less sunny, a little less rich than in previous years, a little less alcohol, a little less concentration. More balanced wines. We try to preserve the fruity character of the wine as well as the finesse of the tannins."

This is how the Mas Mellet wines we tasted appeared to us.
We are always happy and proud to start an adventure, a partnership with a new Winery.

It is with great pleasure that we offer you some of the wines from their beautiful range.