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While Domaine Giraud is considered a young estate in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, it's owners certainly have a long history in the region. Pierre Giraud - a descendant of the famed Armenier family - has winemaking ancestry going back 6 centuries, and his wife Mireille's family - the Buou family - owned the village distillery for generations.
In 1974, Pierre and Mireille obtained their first 4 hectares of vines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and spent the next 12 years expanding their Domaine by purchasing small plots of rented land. In 1981, the distillery would become their winery and barrel-ageing cellar, and the first vintage of Domaine Giraud was born. In 1987, the running of the Armenier family vineyards was handed down to the children, and Pierre and Mireille took 8 hectares of 100 year old vines in the famous Le Crau, Terres Blanches, Gallimardes and Rayas areas of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
 | | 100 year old Grenache vines from Le Crau |
In 1988, Pierre decided to pass on the operation of the domaine to his and Mireille's children, Marie and her brother Francois. Under Pierre's watchful eye, they have steadily increased the reputation of this already excellent domaine, and have hired the services of famous consultant Philippe Cambie, one of the top winemakers in the entire region. Philippe's commitment to traditional methods and biodynamics is helping to ensure that Domaine Giraud will remain one of the bright new stars of Chateauneuf.
Their Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee 'Tradition' is just that - a traditional wine, blended from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre from vines planted to sand and large pebble-stones (called galets). Fermentation last from 3 weeks to a month, and the wine is aged in a combination of cement vats and stainless steel tank, with only the syrah getting barrique ageing to help promote micro-oxygenation and give structure. Only 1250 cases are made of this Cuvee, which indicates the boutique nature of this Domaine.
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