Domaine Giraud farms Châteauneuf-du-Pape across 64 parcels, with old Grenache in La Crau and a sandy soil Lirac blend.
The producer
Domaine Giraud is a Châteauneuf-du-Pape domaine with 17 hectares spread across 64 parcels. Its most prized holdings include Grenache vines planted more than 100 years ago in the La Crau sector. Pierre and Mireille Giraud left the distillery business for full time winemaking in 1981. The domaine shifted to 100% organic farming in 2008 and achieved biodynamic certification in 2011. Its Lirac Les Sables d'Arène combines old vine Grenache with Syrah and Mourvèdre from sandy soil, with bright floral and bright cherry aromas, bay laurel and peppery tannins.
Known for
Old vine Grenache in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Lirac
Notable facts
Domaine Giraud holds 17 hectares of vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape across 64 separate parcels.
Grenache vines planted more than 100 years ago grow in the La Crau sector.
The estate shifted to 100% organic farming in 2008.
Domaine Giraud achieved biodynamic certification in 2011.
The story
The First Estate Bottling
In 1998, Marie and François Giraud took over Domaine Giraud. The same year brought the debut vintage of Cuvée Les Gallimardes, the first wine produced, bottled and sold by the estate. Estate bottling keeps those three steps together: the domaine makes the wine, puts it into bottle, and releases it under its own name. For Domaine Giraud, the succession therefore arrived with a new bottle and a complete estate process attached to it. Cuvée Les Gallimardes marked the first vintage to pass from the family's vineyard work to a wine released under the domaine's name.
From the atlas
Domaine Giraud
Domaine Giraud is a Rhône domaine centered on Châteauneuf-du-Pape, with old Grenache in La Crau, organic farming and a Lirac from sandy soil.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Primary appellation
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Vineyard holdings
17 hectares across 64 parcels
Named old vines
Grenache planted more than 100 years ago in La Crau
Farming
Organic farming and biodynamic certification
Lirac wine
Les Sables d'Arène
The Producer
Pierre and Mireille Giraud left the distillery business to become full time winemakers in 1981. Domaine Giraud farms Châteauneuf-du-Pape across separate parcels, including old Grenache in the La Crau sector. The domaine shifted to 100% organic farming in 2008 and achieved biodynamic certification in 2011.
Place
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the domaine's main appellation, while Les Sables d'Arène is a Lirac wine from sandy soil. Sand drains quickly, so the vines can face greater variation in water supply through the growing season than vines in heavier ground.
Wines
The range spans Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Lirac. It includes Domaine Giraud Lirac Vieilles Vignes 2023 and Domaine Giraud Vin de France MF 2023, two named red wines with different place names on the labels. Les Sables d'Arène is made from approximately 60% old vine Grenache, with the Grenache vines averaging 60 years of age, plus 20% Syrah and 20% Mourvèdre. It has bright floral and bright cherry aromas, bay laurel and peppery tannins.
Final Word
Domaine Giraud farms Châteauneuf-du-Pape parcels and makes a sandy soil Lirac from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. The domaine also has old Grenache in La Crau and farms organically and biodynamically.