Did you know that Château de Clapier takes its name from the Provençal word "clapas" (pile of stones), a tribute to its stony terroir that gives our wines their distinctive minerality today?
In the 16th century, the estate was a hunting retreat for the Marquis de Mirabeau, political figures and wine enthusiasts. Among them was Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, a key player in the French Revolution—until his ties to the monarchy led to the estate being seized and sold as national property. Purchased by a Swiss man, Mr. Morel, the château was built a few years later.
Everything changed in 1880 when Théodore Barataud, a miller from Marseille, acquired the estate. He built a cutting-edge cellar with twelve massive vats and a steam-powered machine to operate pumps and a destemmer (a machine that separates grape berries from their stems). A remarkable feat for the time! This cellar, used until 1995, can still be visited today and stands as a testament to our heritage.
In the 1920s, Henri Montagne (Thomas Montagne’s grandfather) settled on the estate, followed by his son Marien, and then Thomas Montagne in 1995. As the fourth generation of winemakers, Thomas modernized the estate with stainless steel tanks and oak barrels while committing to sustainable viticulture, preserving the natural richness that defines our wines.
Explore our historic cellar, wander through the vineyards with the Baludik app, or taste our wines during an oenotourism visit.
