Descendants and heirs of Eugène Raspail, the AY family has been at the helm of Domaine Raspail-AY for six generations, passing it down from father to son. The family estate is currently managed by Dominique AY’s children: Anne-Sophie and Christophe AY.
They cultivate the estate’s 19 hectares of vineyards, continuing the family tradition.
The plots are contiguous and surround the estate, which is located at the foot of the village of Gigondas, below the natural barrier formed by the Dentelles de Montmirail. The soils are complementary, with the clay-limestone providing sandy molasses and ancient alluvial deposits with small pebbles that promote grape ripeness.
The grape varieties grown are the main ones of the appellation, namely Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, with vines averaging 55 years of age.
The grapes are harvested entirely by hand, sorted on the vines and on arrival, then completely destemmed to ferment during long vatting in enamelled concrete vats.
The wine is then aged for between 18 and 24 months in large old oak casks (40 to 130 hectoliters).
The estate’s wines are rich, with an intense color, red fruit aromas, and a spicy bouquet; they are generous and powerful wines, a Gigondas that reflects the terroir and tradition of the appellation.
The wine can be consumed 3 or 4 years after bottling and, depending on the vintage, up to 15 or even 20 years.