Domaine de Ferrand, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007

Philippe puts a lot of thought and energy into his vineyards. Producing grapes with balance in the cauldron like conditions of the south, means that control of the maturity of the grapes becomes vital. In this work he is convinced of the need to bring organic matter into the vineyard and to prevent the demineralization of the soil by way of sheep or horse manure. His work is organic in all senses other than certification. He ploughs, uses interceps to control grass growth between the vines, controls oidium/mildew with copper and sulphur, and doesn’t trim the tips of vines.

Philippe destalks between 10 to 50% depending on the vintage, vinifies and ages in concrete tank, with no racking or blending and without the addition of sulphur (until bottling) to preserve freshness and terroir expression. Effervescent, hardworking and inquisitive, Philippe leaves no stone unturned in his work in the vines and cellar, making one of the finest examples of age-worthy old vine grenache in the world and despite all the plaudits (e.g. Wine Advocate) sticks to an incredibly reasonable pricing policy. A gentleman!

Domaine de Ferrand takes its name from its location in the cooler northern sector of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation. Philippe Bravay took over a domaine owned by his family since the 19th century and bottled his first wine in 1997 breaking away from the negociant and other co-operative organisations to whom his forefathers used to sell.

Domaine de Ferrand owns some of the oldest grenache in the CNDP appellation planted in the lieu-dits of Les Garriguettes and Les Jaumes in 1904, 1910, 1920, together with two other lieu-dits Cabrières and La Gardiole where the vines are 45yo.