Giraud, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Giraud is a 19-hectare family estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape managed by siblings Marie and François Giraud, producing Grenache-dominant wines from diverse terroirs including Les Gallimardes, Le Crau, and Les Gonds with their signature galets roulés. Their winemaking balances traditional methods with selective modern techniques, featuring organic viticulture since 2008 and vessel-specific aging that preserves the authentic expression of their Southern Rhône parcels.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Giraud was established in 1974 when Pierre and Mireille Giraud decided to create their own estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Prior to founding the domaine, the Giraud family had been vineyard owners who sold their grapes to local négociants. The transition to estate bottling marked a significant turning point in the family's viticultural history, which dates back several generations in the Southern Rhône.
A pivotal moment in the domaine's development came in 1998, when Pierre and Mireille's children, Marie and François Giraud, took over operations. Marie assumed responsibility for winemaking and commercial aspects, while François focused on vineyard management. This generational transition brought new energy and perspective while maintaining the family's deep connection to their land and traditions. Under their guidance, Domaine Giraud has refined its identity and strengthened its position within Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Giraud manages approximately 19 hectares of vineyards spread across several distinct sectors of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Their parcels are distributed among the appellation's varied terroirs, including sites in Les Gallimardes, Le Crau, and Les Gonds. This diversity of locations provides access to different soil compositions, from the famous galets roulés (large rounded stones) that characterize much of the appellation to sandy soils and limestone substrates.
The domaine's plantings are predominantly Grenache (70%), supplemented by Syrah (20%) and Mourvèdre (10%). Their oldest Grenache vines date back to the 1950s, particularly in the Les Gallimardes vineyard. The estate produces several cuvées, including their Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition (a blend from multiple parcels), the single-vineyard Les Gallimardes, and their top cuvée Les Grenaches de Pierre, made exclusively from old-vine Grenache. Since 2008, the entire estate has been certified organic by Ecocert, reflecting the family's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Giraud's approach balances traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape methods with selective modern techniques. In the vineyard, François implements organic farming practices, focusing on low yields and manual harvesting. The domaine practices green harvesting when necessary and sorts grapes meticulously both in the vineyard and at the winery.
The winemaking process varies by cuvée but generally includes destemming, temperature-controlled fermentation in concrete tanks, and aging in a combination of vessels. Their Tradition cuvée ages primarily in concrete tanks, while Les Gallimardes sees partial aging in oak barrels. Les Grenaches de Pierre, their flagship wine, ferments with indigenous yeasts and ages in demi-muids (600-liter oak barrels) for approximately 18 months. The Girauds avoid filtration whenever possible, preferring to preserve the natural character of their wines.
The family's philosophy centers on expressing the distinctive qualities of their various terroirs while maintaining the authentic character of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Their organic certification reflects not just marketing considerations but a fundamental belief in sustainable agriculture as the foundation for wine quality.