Domaine Saint-Damien — Tradition and depth in the Southern Rhône

Based in Gigondas, Domaine Saint-Damien represents the classic soul of the Southern Rhône. Founded in the early 20th century and led by Joel Saurel, the domaine took a leap forward in quality when his son Romain Saurel, a trained oenologist, joined in the 2000s.

The estate farms old vines (many 60+ years old) on stony, clay-limestone soils, using organic-leaning practices, manual harvests, and low yields — all in service of terroir and balance.

Philosophy and winemaking

Saint-Damien favors minimal intervention and traditional methods.

• Hand-harvested fruit

• Long fermentations with native yeasts

• Whole-cluster Grenache in the top cuvées

• Aged 12–18 months in large old foudres or demi-muids

• No filtration, minimal sulfites
  Each plot is vinified separately and carefully blended.

Wine style

Saint-Damien wines are deep, structured, and true to place, with dark fruit, garrigue spice, and firm yet refined tannins. They express power with precision, and age beautifully over a decade or more. The single-vineyard cuvées offer distinct, layered expressions of old-vine Grenache, in a style that’s traditional yet vibrant.

Signature cuvées

Gigondas Tradition Vieilles Vignes – Classic blend with purity and freshness.

Gigondas "La Louisiane" – Intense, spicy, and dense. Old vines and serious depth.

Gigondas "Les Souteyrades" – Clay-driven Grenache elegance with aromatic lift.

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu – Honest, structured, and a superb value.

Gigondas Rosé – Textured and mineral. A rare rosé of character and balance.

A traditionalist with a modern touch

Domaine Saint-Damien is now one of the benchmarks of Gigondas, thanks to its old vines, honest winemaking, and terroir-driven focus. For lovers of classic Southern Rhône reds, this is an address not to miss.