In 1898 Hippolyte Brunier planted the first vines on the Crau plateau. Fourth generation, Fréderic and Daniel now run the 72 hectare property of the magnificent Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe and continue to build on the work of earlier generations. The estate takes its name from the tower on the hillside built in 1792 by M. Chappe. Also under the Brunier stable are Domaine la Roquette, purchased in 1986, as a lighter faster maturing styler of Châteauneuf compared to Vieux Télégraphe, and Domaine Les Pallières in Gigondas where the previous owner Pierre Roux had no heir to succeed him. Methods at Pallières are very traditional and the vines average at least 50 years of age. The domaine had been in the Roux family since the 15th century.