The Boisson family once held two trades: winemaking and blacksmithing. The name of their estate, Domaine du Père Caboche, originates from the latter, as the nails used to secure horseshoes are called "caboche" in Provençal—a nickname historically given to the Boisson family. Théophile Boisson, orphaned at the age of three, was the only one who did not learn the blacksmithing trade. However, his mother, who managed the estate, instilled in him a deep love for the vine and winemaking, leading him to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors as a vigneron while keeping his family nickname, "Caboche." This legacy gave birth to the first bottles bearing the name Père Caboche, thus establishing the domaine’s identity.
Long before this, the vineyard belonged to the Chambellan family. In 1777, Jean-Louis Boisson married Elisabeth Chambellan and became a winemaker in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Since then, parcels of the vineyard have remained within the family, never exchanged or sold. The century-old vines that now thrive on these lands produce wines of remarkable quality. The estate pays tribute to the ancestors who passed down their passion and expertise, maintaining a long lineage of dedicated winemakers. Today, this tradition continues with the current generation, as Nicolas and Emilie join their father in preserving the family’s heritage. They cultivate the vines with great care, respecting both tradition and environmental sustainability. Their approach to winemaking and aging reflects a commitment to expressing the terroir and the craftsmanship of the vigneron.
In the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, Domaine du Père Caboche’s vineyard spans 17 hectares on the prestigious terroir of La Crau, where a dense layer of galets roulés (rounded pebbles) enhances the richness and concentration of the wines. Despite this sea of stones, the diversity of the vineyard’s subsoils—ranging from clay-limestone to sand—creates wines with distinct characteristics. The clay-limestone composition helps mitigate water stress, an increasing challenge with climate change, contributing to a supple texture in the wines. Meanwhile, the varying proportion of sand across different parcels adds elegance and finesse, making each wine a true expression of its terroir.
