Domaine Saint Auriol

'At Saint-Auriol, we're simply looking for the most genuine expression
of what is known as a 'high expression growth' the real expression of the terroir,
and of the pleasure taken by the wine-growers who work and age the wine
coming from this production area, the expression of a Mediterranean
culture and lifestyle, and a southern art of living. '

Château Saint-Auriol is situated on medium altitude land, with gravelly soils that are dry and well drained. The wines are distinctive for their aromas of red fruit, spices and vanilla, with subtle, elegant tannins.

The initial vineyards covered 14 ha/35 acres. In no time, however, Claude undertook a complete renovation of both the planted grape varieties and the cellars. The new parcels of vines have pushed the surrounding garrigue scrubland as far as possible up the hillsides. Stony, shallow soils, well sunned and ventilated with their southerly exposure.

For the red wines, Claude has chosen grenache noir, syrah and mourvèdre, but she has also retained the old carignan vines. For the whites, she planted marsanne and roussanne.

Four wines bear the Château Saint-Auriol label

The white Corbières has identical proportions of marsanne and roussanne, vinified in casks, with regular stirring on lees. It is appreciated for its subtle tannins and its structure which is good for laying down. Wine dscription (pdf)

The rosé Corbières: consists of 25% mourvèdre, 25% syrah, 25% grenache and 25% cinsault vinified by bleeding. A tasty rosé with peppery strawberry aromas.Wine dscription (pdf)

The red Corbières : combines 35% syrah with 40% grenache and carignan, and 20% mourvèdre. Aged for 10-12 months in barrels, it develops aromas of red fruit, spices, thyme and rosemary, with a hint of vanilla.Wine dscription (pdf)

La Folie de Saint-Auriol : goes against the trend among wine-growers to have the terroir recognized through one-off vintages or cuvées. Claude Vialade has long been against the 'super-vintage' principle, and always refused to follow that fashion, focusing instead on presenting a single blend bearing the labels of her châteaux. Made up of Mediterranean and Atlantic grape varieties, aged in casks for 14 months, the 'Folie' generously imparts its fragrance of black fruit with the odd hint of garrigue and liquorice, enhanced by a light touch of vanilla.Wine dscription (pdf)

This château collection is rounded off by second wines :

The cuvée 'des carignans historiques'
La Chapelle Le Jour & La Nuit Carignan 50 years : Wine dscription (pdf)

Surface :

40 hectares

Planted grape varieties :

- Syrah : 14 ha
- Grenache noir : 12 ha
- Carignan : 8 ha
- Cabernet : 2 ha.
- Marsanne : 1 ha
- Roussanne : 1 ha.
- Bourboulenc/malvoisie : 1 ha
- Grenache blanc et macabeu : 1 ha

Average yields :

42 hl/ha for reds,
25 hl/ha for whites

Vinification equipment :

2 vaslin presses, destalker, heat-regulated stainless steel vats and traditional stone vats. Cold units, pumps for pumping over.

Ageing equipment :

400 oak casks, 20% new. Once bottled, the wines are aged in the air-conditioned cellar of Les Domaines Auriol SAS.

Average annual production : 1,200 hectoliters divided up as follows :

- 6,000 bottles of Château Saint-Auriol white
- 20,000 bottles of Château Saint-Auriol rosé
- 98,000-110,000 bottles of Château Saint-Auriol red
- 14,000 bottles of La Folie du Château Saint-Auriol red
- 30,00050,000 bottles of second wine Domaine La Chapelle carignans historiques and Grenache-Syrah Bio

Price range :

prices on the estate range between 4.60 and 16 euros

Marketing :

- 15 % in France :
- 5 % to private buyers
- 5 % to restaurants
- 5 % to wholesalers
- 85 % for export. Sales in 40 countries, including the EU, Canada, Asia, the Middle East (Lebanon)...