 DOMAINE
DE LA SOLITUDEHistory   The
Domaine de la Solitude is owned by one of the oldest families originating
from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Traces of the MARTIN family are found as far back as the 15th century. In Italy the family is traced even farther back, to the very old and illustrious BARBERINI family. François BARBERINI, born in Tuscany in 1264, lived in Provence for several years. The most well known member of the family, Maffeo BARBERINI, apostolic nuncio to Paris from 1604 to 1606, was voted Pope under the name of Urbain VIII. Two of his nephews became cardinals and part of his family came to live in Avignon. In Rome, they left behind bad memories: they were accused of destroying ancient monuments to use the materials to build their magnificent palace.  In
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, in 1604, Jean BARBERINI's name was Frenchified
to BARBERIN. His granddaughter, Hélène BARBERIN, married Claude MARTIN,
the owner of scattered vineyards. He was also an apostolic notary and
clerk for the Châteauneuf-du-Pape community. His descendants inherited
his duties; notarial transactions and community decisions are found in
their archives. The son of Claude MARTIN and Hélène BARBERIN, Antoine-Esprit, fathered Pierre-Elzéar. The latter's wife, Françoise DELOUME, brought in her dowry "La Solitude", which had already been in her family's possession for some time. Gallo-roman money and remains found on the property testify to the long history of occupation of the site.  The
son of Pierre-Elzéar MARTIN and Françoise DELOUME, Paul-Clair-Agapet
MARTIN, remained an apostolic notary until the revolution. The estate
experienced a blossoming expansion under his care. He left behind a journal
which has proved precious to us. It contains a wealth of information regarding
vine cultivation, its cost and results. He organized the sale of his harvest
as far as England, under the wine named "La Solitude", the name of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
not even in existence at the time. We also have labels dating from this
period, as well as bills of lading from the port of Marseilles. Unfortunately,
this avant-garde wine-grower died young, leaving his life's work unfinished.
 Rosalie
MARTIN, daughter of Paul-Clair-Agapet, married another MARTIN, named MARTIN-MORICELLY
for homonymic reasons. A veteran under Napoleon, he received the Legion
of Honor cross at the battle of Waterloo. A medical doctor in Avignon,
he was also deputy mayor. His family descended from the Avignon School
painter Philippe SAUVAN. His paintings are on display at the CALVET museum
in Avignon. His daughter Elodie married Paul VIGNEAU, the Marseilles Medical
School secretary. Their daughter Marie VIGNEAU married Albert JACOB, a
doctor of law in Paris, who retired to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Albert JACOB
gave new life to the property, and began to bring it up to its past glory.
His daughter, Paule JACOB, married Pierre LANCON, who continued the work
in progress. But that is modern history. |
|
EARL DOMAINES PIERRE LANÇON |
| Domaine
de la Solitude - BP 21 84231 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cedex - France Tél. 04 90 83 71 45 Fax 04 90 83 51 34 e-mail: solitude@mnet.fr |