Domaine Saint Préfert

The history of the castle

It was in 1920, in the Southern Rhône south of the village Châteauneuf-du-Pape, that the Saint Préfert estate took root. Fernand Serre, a pharmacist from Avignon discovered one day a district of Châteauneuf du Pape, the greenhouse district. As a great wine lover and a fine apothecary, he acquired more than 80 hectares in this area located on the southern side of the village. At that time, he had only one ambition: to become a winemaker.

After building a cellar, he quickly learned the secrets of harvesting and winemaking. A very good winemaker, Fernand Serre is one of the precursors of the fame of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. For example, he was one of the first to market Châteauneuf du Pape in bottles in the 1930s and to conquer markets across the Atlantic.

Since his death, the estate has been passed down through the family. In 2002, Suzanne Serre bequeathed the estate to Isabelle Ferrando. Coming from a banking background without any training in wine, Isabelle had the trigger in 1997 and started her training until she was hired 5 years later.

The commitments

Domaine Saint Préfert is above all a responsible company. It promotes the employment of local actors in a global logic. Isabelle Ferrano's entire team collectively reflects on environmental, social, economic and ethical issues.

Thus, we find a peasant agriculture that mixes ecological production ethics (use of natural yeasts and pesticides for example) and biodynamics (production method that considers nature as an organism that must be followed, listened to and accompanied); a social agriculture that favors a human, social and collective wage ethic; and a culture of the Art of receiving with a unique customer experience.

Saint Préfert's agriculture is thus the link in a local and social economic chain. The estate chooses as often as possible local independent suppliers whose social and environmental policy is compatible with its values.

Finally, the vineyard is committed to organic farming, including the selection of its own yeasts and its own old vines to express the true signature of its terroir and vegetation.

All of these commitments and this respectful relationship with nature allow for the best preservation of the terroir whose soil is bursting with rolled pebbles, gravel, carbonated blue clay, sand and limestone.

The wines

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape is 85% Grenache. It offers a flowery, fruit-driven nose, with a well-colored robe on the Grenache. The wine is quite dense even though Isabelle Ferrando manages to produce a consistent finesse.

La Réserve Auguste Favier is 80% Grenache and 20% Cinsault. Aged for 18 months, it is more mature than the classic and thus offers greater complexity in the mouth. A power marked by licorice and violets can be felt on the nose. Enjoy with a lamb tagine with prunes and fresh almonds.

The Charles Giraud Saint Préfert Collection is composed of 60% Grenache and 40% Vieux Mourvèdre. Its color is dense and deep ruby, its complex and racy nose reveals aromas of spices and black fruits. On the palate, we feel a powerful and sapid body, with crisp and fine tannins on the finish. 5 years of ageing are recommended for an optimal tasting, 15 years of ageing maximum. To be served with a hare à la royale for a perfect match!