Who makes it
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.
Where it grows
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.
What they make
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.