DISCOVER DOMAINE
JULIEN MASQUIN
The domaine
The Genesis
The adventure began in 1935 when Paul Masquin, my grandfather—a visionary and wine enthusiast—acquired a few plots of vines. In 1936, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation became an AOC, bringing its wines to prominence for their excellence. However, it was not yet time for the “domaine” to officially emerge.
Paul Masquin, an entrepreneur at heart, leased out these lands for many years. At that time, he founded a brush-making company in Courthézon, which soon became the town’s main industry and remains a major player in the sector to this day.
But let’s return to the vines. These 27 hectares, located on iconic terroirs of the appellation (Pignan, Cassanets, La Crau, Rayas), waited over half a century for Julien Masquin, upon completing his studies, to decide to follow in his ancestor’s footsteps and turn towards the vineyards.
A new era
The Birth of the Domaine
Julien, close to nature and passionate about extreme sports, also has a taste for beautiful and fine things. A strong desire to realize himself in alignment with his life philosophy drives him forward. Aware of the exceptional potential of the property, this young graduate in oenology, always ready for a challenge, took a leap into the unknown by founding Domaine Julien Masquin in 1999.
The road would be long and difficult; the vines needed meticulous care to revive and reveal their true potential. Ten years of hard work were required to restructure the vineyards.
At a Crossroads
Julien worked alone for two years. The first harvests were done as a cooperative member. Fate, as it often does, intervened at harvest time, bringing Julien and Sébastien together. Their names rhyme, a promising start!
Thus, a new century saw the birth of both a professional collaboration and a deep friendship.
Julien and Sébastien, both passionate, share a love for nature and a similar outlook on the world. Their connection was instant, and trust was mutual.
Sébastien, trained as a chemical engineer, left his doctoral thesis to work in the vineyard and winemaking. He learned these trades “on the job,” becoming the cellar master and head of viticulture.
Their relationship, based on mutual sharing and deep involvement, cemented the foundation on which Domaine Julien Masquin still stands today.
The Rise of the Domaine
The year 2009 marked the first vintage vinified directly, although not yet on the estate’s grounds. Patience and learning were required. As true scientists, Julien and Sébastien observed, experimented, and began designing the future wine cellar of Domaine Julien Masquin.
In 2017, the tasting room and cellars were ready to welcome the first vinification. This was the culmination of nearly twenty years of relentless work.
The Domaine’s Expression
The natural balance of Domaine Julien Masquin is rooted in respect for the soil and terroir and in constant learning. For Julien and Sébastien, listening to nature and observing the vines are essential, s their goal is to support these processes humbly to draw out the terroir’s quintessence.
Eschewing the dictates of organic farming, they chose instead a reasonable and reasoned agriculture based on ancestral knowledge, complemented by modern techniques. This vision allows them to produce small, high-quality volumes.
The Estate’s Motto: Great Grapes for Great Wines.
Since 2021, the estate has been certified HVE3, “High Environmental Value.”
The Adventure Continues
To accept what the vines offer each year and remain humble before nature—this is their guiding principle. As Julien and Sébastien continue to reflect on the estate’s evolution, they opt for a plot-by-plot approach to fully reveal the potential of the patiently cultivated vines.
The next Châteauneuf-du-Pape vintages will thus bear the names of the estate’s most famous terroirs: Pignan and Les Cassanets.
The importance of meticulous and thoughtful cellar work is confirmed.
Thus are born the wines of Domaine Julien Masquin, modern wines crafted with ancestral know-how, expressing finesse and elegance.