Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Appellation
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Farming
Sustainable, Organic
Varietals
100% Grenache
Vineyards & Viticulture
Rayas is a secluded estate northeast of the village, not far from Courthézon. It is unusual because their 12 hectares of vines are north-facing and contain none of the fabled round pebbles (galets roulés). The vineyard is surrounded on all sides by forest and therefore is a cool terroir. Harvest here goes very late and these wines never lack for power or richness. Vine ages between 15 and 60 years and older.
Soils
Fine red sand base with smaller pebbles
Harvest & Vinification
The three vineyards are vinified separately, with assemblage taking place in enamel-lined tanks before bottling. Grapes are not destemmed, and whole bunches are crushed and fermented in concrete vats for 10-14 days with native yeast. After malolactic fermentation, the wines are aged for another 12 months in 80-100 year old foudres. "These foudres were around when my grandfather was alive, and he bought them secondhand," says Emmanuel. The wines are lightly filtered before bottling.