The Domaine du Grand Montmirail is owned by the Cheron family. Originally from Burgundy, Denis Cheron bought the Cave du Grand Comtadiné in Vacqueyas in the 1960's. There he vinified grapes for scores of local producers and successfully ran a merchant firm. One of his suppliers was the owner of the Domaine du Grand Montmirail, a wonderfully situated property in the southern part of Gigondas.
This supplier retired and offered the estate to his friend Denis. Shortly afterwards, important investments were made to improve the grape varieties and to construct a winemaking cellar in the heart of the property. In the early 1980's, Denis' son, Yves, a graduate in enological studies in Beaune, took over. He refurbished an old convent on the property and made it his family house.
The Domaine covers more than 35 hectares planted exclusively on the hillsides and terraces, known locally as banquettes. The vineyards are situated directly on the southern slopes of the famous Dentelles de Montmirail, at the foot of the very rock face. It is a superb site, dominated by granite cliffs nearly a hundred meters in height. The vines benefit from a remarkably sunny exposure, while being sheltered from the dominant wind, the Mistral. The altitude of the vineyards varies between 300 and 350 meters – among the highest in Gigondas.
Domaine du Grand Montmirail also owns vineyards in Vacqueyras. The wine is vinified in much the same way as the Gigondas, using about 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre. Replete with fruit and absent of the rusticity often associated with this appellation, this Vacqueyras offers a delicious mouthful of wine, with notes of berries, spice and a finishing note of liquorice.