Isabelle and Arnaud Guichard bought Domaine de la Guichard in 1988. Located near Mongragon in the village of Derboux in the Cotes du Rhone, the estate sits on a high plateau at the top of the Massif d'Uchaux. Planted primarily to Grenache and Syrah, with a tiny bit of Grenache Blanc and Gris, the Guichards reorganized their 37 acre estate vineyard to take better advantage of the soils and exposition. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted before undergoing fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. After assemblage, the wines mature in concrete tanks before bottling. Over the years, the Guichards have methodically moved to organic farming. Their 2009 was certified organic by ECOCERT and their 2011 vintage fully organic.

Wine maker notes

The vines are severely pruned and the rows are plowed. The grapes are all harvested by hand and then carefully sorted. The Guichardes have installed a modern winery with temperature controlled stainless steel tanks in which the wine is fermented. Each cepage is vinified separately, assembled in the Spring and then aged in concrete cuves before bottling. The Guichardes have also constructed an air-conditioned bottle storage and shipping room. The Guichardes' aim for intensely fruity, juicy, and spicy medium bodied wines which are meant to be enjoyed on release or with up to about five years of bottle age.

Producer

In 1988, Isabelle and Arnaud Guicharde acquired this estate in the hamlet of Derboux, near Mondragon. The young couple, passionate for a career as wine producers, sought to make the finest Cotes du Rhone possible. Vines were first planted here in 1960 but the Guichardes reorganized the 15 hectare vineyard to take better advantage of the soils and exposition. The estate sits on a high plateau at the top of the Massif d’Uchaux making idelaly situated for the ripening of grapes. Sixty percent Grenache and forty percent Syrah is planted on sloping, sandy-limestone soil. About one hectare of Grenache Blanc and Gris is used for the Cotes du Rhone Blanc.