Gigondas has many soil types. Expansive alluvial terraces from the Mindel Glacial Stage with sandy-clay soils stretch up to the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Their high permeability reduces the impact of erosion from running water and allows ground soil to dry out rapidly.
On slopes and hillsides, terraced vineyards grow in limestone-marl soils and present a verdant landscape for walkers. For winegrowers, the soil and surface rocks complement each other, allowing rainwater to penetrate into the ground. These soil conditions also permit solar energy to be stored overnight, which extends the vegetative activity of the vines. All the soils in Gigondas are rich in clay and have the essential characteristics that mark terroirs of the finest wines.
Download a cross-section of the geology of Gigondas (Georges Truc)