Laudun Chusclan, Rhône, France

VIGNERONS DE LAUDUN-CHUSCLAN, SINCE 1925.

The cooperative Vignerons Laudun-Chusclan (winegrowers from the commune of Laudun and Chusclan) is a partnership between two cooperative wineries, resulting from a voluntary reconciliation between Vignerons Laudun (founded in 1925) and Vignerons Chusclan (founded in 1939) . It is located in the Gard department, on the right bank of the Rhône . The Gard region is located 15 kilometres from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The vineyard covers 2,300 hectares, of which 1,760 hectares have appellation status. The origins of this vineyard date back to the beginning of the first millennium, when Caesar's army guarded the Rhone region. With a total area of ​​18 hectares of estate, in the Cèze and Tave valleys, the foundation of the city of Laudun has its origins. In the area of ​​Le Clos de Taman (Clos means 'wall'), which lies at the foot of the valley, the old settlement is still clearly visible. Slopes that are 'pushed' against the foreground of the vineyards indicate ancestral viticulture; the foundation of the former wineries with adjacent vineyards. At the top, between the hills and the river, we find Chateau Gicon; which used to serve as a lookout point and strategic view of the Rhone valley. The castle was owned by the Benedictines of St. Saturinus, ' the lords of Gicon', who developed the culture of the vine. The secret of viticulture and the development of wines on high-quality soil, lies with these gentlemen. For this reason, out of respect and continuation of wisdom, Vignerons Laudun Chusclan has attempted to achieve a complete renovation of the castle.

The symbol in their logo (left) is therefore a tribute to the development of the vine and the expertise to continue to improve it. Today, the cooperative still works together with great energy and they work on ambitious projects for viticulture. The collaboration has been in effect since 2008. The cooperative has 200 affiliated winegrowers with a total of 120 vineyards from 25 different municipalities.