Domaine Santa Duc Acquires 4.7 Hectares of Prime Vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
January 21, 2025 (Gigondas) — Domaine Santa Duc, a renowned name in the world of Rhône wines, proudly announces the acquisition of 4.7 hectares of exceptional vineyards in the celebrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. This strategic expansion – which brings the estate’s total surface area under vine to 10 hectares – underlines the domaine’s commitment to crafting world-class wines rooted in the Rhône Valley’s unparalleled terroir.
The newly acquired vineyards are located across prestigious lieux-dits, including Montredon, L’Arnesque, and Farguerol Nord. These parcels boast a mix of Grenache and Syrah vines, renowned for their rich, complex, and elegant expressions. The soils, ranging from Miocene sands and safres to Villafranchian rolled pebbles, offer a unique canvas for producing wines of depth and character.
Details of the Acquisition
The purchase, facilitated by SAFER, covers the following plots:
- Montredon: 1.87 hectares (Grenache and Syrah, of which 0.75 ha will be planted with white grapes)
- L’Arnesque: 0.71 hectares (Grenache)
- Farguerol Nord: 2.12 hectares (Grenache)
The vineyard’s potential aligns with Domaine Santa Duc’s philosophy of respecting and amplifying the voice of the land. “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for us,” said Yves Gras, owner and winemaker. “The terroir of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, and we are thrilled to craft wines that honor this region’s legacy.”
Future Ambitions
Domaine Santa Duc plans to integrate these parcels into their celebrated range of wines, with a focus on enhancing the acclaimed Habemus Papam label. Additionally, the wine estate is considering the creation of a single-vineyard cuvée from Farguerol Nord, showcasing the distinctive qualities of its safres and pebble-laden soils.
About Domaine Santa Duc
Since 1874, six generations have succeeded one another at Domaine Santa Duc, each contributing their unique expertise to shape this Gigondas vineyard, renowned since Roman times for the power and distinctiveness of its red wines. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault—these noble grape varieties—lie at the heart of the Gras family’s identity, which strives to elevate them with the utmost precision and rigor. Massal selections, biodynamic farming, whole cluster harvests, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, minimal intervention, bottling without filtration… The Gras family advocates for a winemaking approach that is as respectful of nature as it is demanding, aiming to express with accuracy the essence of each terroir. This philosophy, passed down from Yves Gras to his son Benjamin, is also reflected in their vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It leads to wines that reveal the fundamental qualities of excellence: balance, elegance, purity, and depth. It is only natural for a family of winemakers rooted at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, whose wild beauty and creative inspiration constantly fuel their work.
