France, Rhône
https://domainebetton.com/

Christelle is the third generation, following in the footsteps of her father and her grandfather who tended to their vineyards, selling to négociants for a time, but bringing the winemaking back to the domaine in 2003.

Christelle manages 15 acres of vines in Crozes-Hermitage and one-third acre of vines in Hermitage. Soils in the village of Roche de Glun are alluvial, with many “galets roulés” commonly found along the Rhône River valley (and most commonly in Châteauneuf-du-Pape). The area is also very dry, which is why the Betton family has for years ploughed the land by hand, to better train their vines’ roots to dig deep in the rocky soils. Also, vineyards are well-exposed to the cold northern “mistral” winds from the Alps, helping preserve freshness and acidity in the grapes.

Christelle uses only older French oak barrels (from four to eight years, and sourced from white Burgundy producers) to age her wines. In general, wines are aged in barrel for one year, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered.