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A great Rhône wine shaped by generations, patience, and a deep sense of place
In wine, there are estates. There are vineyards. And then there are families — where the story of the wine is inseparable from the story of those who make it.
The Gigondas “Les Jardinières” 2024 from Domaine Gour de Chaulé belongs fully to this last category. It is not just a wine from the southern Rhône; it is the continuation of a long family history, where each generation has added its own layer to the same living project.
Gigondas – strength with a sense of place
The appellation of Gigondas sits at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail in the southern Rhône Valley. It is a landscape shaped by sun, wind, and rugged terrain, producing wines known for their depth, structure, and Mediterranean character.
The dominant grape here is Grenache, often supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre — a trio that captures the warmth of the region while maintaining balance and freshness when carefully handled.
In “Les Jardinières” 2024, this classic Gigondas identity is expressed through a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre.
A family story rooted in the land
The Domaine Gour de Chaulé is deeply tied to a multi-generational family story that reflects a wider truth in wine: most great estates are built over time, not overnight.
At the beginning of the last century, the winery (then known as Domaine Bonfils) was divided between vines and olive trees. Over time, generation after generation, the vineyard gradually became the heart of the activity.
In 1970, Rolande — the grandmother of Stéphanie — began bottling and selling the estate’s wines with great success, marking a first step toward a more defined identity.
In 1985, her daughter Aline modernised the estate, adopting more sustainable farming practices and working closely with an agricultural engineer. This period marked a turning point toward a more environmentally conscious approach, including a commitment to structured quality standards such as HACCP from 2002.
In 2007, Stéphanie Fumoso took over the estate, continuing the work of the previous generations and carrying forward the same family spirit.
Since 2018, Paul Fumoso, Stéphanie’s son, has joined the domaine, ensuring that the next generation is already part of the story.
And even further back in time, the village itself carries a symbolic link to wine: its ancient Roman name, Jucunditas, meaning “joy and happiness”, feels almost destined for viticulture.
Les Jardinières 2024 – organic farming and Rhône balance
“Les Jardinières” is produced under organic farming principles, reflecting a long-term respect for the vineyard and its environment.
The blend is built on ripe Grenache, bringing warmth and generosity, supported by Syrah for structure and spice, and Mourvèdre for depth and complexity.
This is a classic Gigondas framework, but the philosophy is not about power for its own sake — it is about balance, expression, and clarity.
Vinification and élevage – patience and precision
The winemaking follows a gentle and traditional approach. Fermentation and ageing take place partly in concrete vats and partly in old large oak foudres.
This combination is essential:
- Concrete preserves fruit purity and freshness
- Old foudres allow slow evolution without marking the wine with strong oak influence
The result is a wine that reflects its origin rather than its container — a key principle in modern Rhône winemaking.
A Gigondas of harmony and character
In the glass, Les Jardinières 2024 shows a deep, vibrant colour and an expressive aromatic profile.
The nose opens on ripe red and black fruits, garrigue herbs, and subtle spice. On the palate, the wine is generous but balanced, with smooth tannins and a long, elegant finish shaped by Grenache’s roundness and Mourvèdre’s depth.
Syrah adds a touch of freshness and spice, completing a blend that feels both generous and composed.
A wine shaped by generations
What makes this wine particularly meaningful is not only its vineyard or its blend, but the continuity behind it.
Few wines are the result of a single moment. Most are the result of decades of decisions, adjustments, and shared knowledge.
Les Jardinières 2024 is exactly that: a wine shaped by women and men across generations, each contributing to a shared vision of the estate.
A living expression of Gigondas
Domaine Gour de Chaulé’s Les Jardinières 2024 is a reminder of what makes Gigondas so compelling: a strong sense of place, Mediterranean energy, and wines that balance structure with drinkability.
But it is also something more personal — a family story written in vines, passed from one generation to the next, and still evolving today.
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