Domaine Gramenon

Michèle Aubéry-Laurent & Maxime-François Laurent — Rhône Valley

Domaine Gramenon is a legendary estate and a pioneer in the natural wine movement of the Southern Rhône. Founded in 1978 by Philippe Laurent and his wife, Michèle Aubéry-Laurent, the domaine became a beacon of organic and low-intervention winemaking. Following Philippe's tragic death in 1999, Michèle bravely took the reins, and with her son, Maxime-François Laurent, she has elevated the domaine to cult status. Today, it is a family project known for crafting pure, elegant, and soulful wines from Grenache and Syrah.

A Philosophy of Life and Terroir

The philosophy at Domaine Gramenon is rooted in a deep respect for the living world. Michèle, a former nurse, approaches her vineyards with the same care and conviction she had for her patients, focusing on natural remedies and holistic health.

  • Biodynamic Farming: They have been farming organically since the beginning and converted to biodynamics in 2007, earning Demeter certification. Their goal is to revitalize the soil and strengthen the vines' natural defenses.

  • Minimal Intervention: In the cellar, their approach is radically non-interventionist. They use gravity-fed tanks to avoid the use of pumps, and all fermentations are carried out with native yeasts.

  • Minimal Sulfur: Their famous mantra is "zero sulfur," though they will use a very small, "homeopathic" dose at bottling if a vintage requires it to ensure the wine's stability.

The Vineyards and Terroir

Domaine Gramenon is located in the northernmost part of the Southern Côtes du Rhône, a region that benefits from a slightly cooler climate and a unique terroir.

  • Location: Montbrison-sur-Lez, Drôme Provençale, at an altitude of 350 meters.

  • Vineyard Area: The domaine covers around 26 hectares.

  • Grape Varieties: Their main focus is on Grenache, which makes up 65% of the plantings, but they also grow Syrah, Cinsault, and white grapes like Viognier and Clairette.

  • Old Vines: A significant portion of their vineyards are home to very old vines, with some Grenache vines over 100 years old, which produce a very low yield of incredibly concentrated grapes.

  • Soils: The terroir is a complex mosaic of sandy, limestone, and clay soils, which gives their wines a unique combination of elegance, freshness, and minerality.

Winemaking and Process

The winemaking at Domaine Gramenon is precise and respectful. They aim to capture the raw power and elegance of their terroir.

  • Harvest & Sorting: Grapes are hand-harvested and meticulously sorted to ensure only the highest quality fruit is used.

  • Vinification: They use a combination of concrete vats and wooden fermenters. Depending on the cuvée, they may use a partial destemming or a full whole-cluster fermentation to add complexity and texture.

  • Aging: The wines are aged for an extended period, often in old barrels, demi-muids, and foudres, to allow them to develop and stabilize naturally before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.

  • Maxime's Project: In parallel to the domaine, Maxime-François has a négociant project, sourcing grapes from organic growers to create his own cuvées, which are known for their fresh and fruit-forward style.

Signature Wines to Discover

The wines of Domaine Gramenon are highly sought after and known for their balance, elegance, and incredible sense of place.

  • La Sagesse: A powerful and soulful pure Grenache.

  • La Mémé: A rare and exceptional Grenache from their centenarian vines.

  • Poignée de Raisins: A vibrant and juicy Grenache/Cinsault blend from younger vines.

  • Sierra du Sud: A pure Syrah that showcases the grape's peppery, mineral character.

  • La Papesse: Another classic Grenache cuvée.

Address & Contact

Domaine Gramenon is a working estate and not generally open for public tastings.

  • Address: Quartier Gramenon, 26770 Montbrison-sur-Lez, France.