Domaine Richaud

The emblem of Cairanne!

Welcome to the Cairanne appellation, where the Richaud family settled a few decades ago. Recognized throughout the world, this must-see in the Rhône Valley will take you on a stroll through different soils. 80 hectares, and 45 vintages later to his credit, Marcel Richaud and his children have a certain talent for working warm grape varieties and creating fresh, complex wines with exceptional fruit.
It is high time to taste to understand this work!

The beautiful story of the Richaud estate

The great story begins in the 19th century, when Marie Constant married a certain Avi Richaud, and inherited a few hectares of vines. The War has taken Avi, Marie finds herself alone in charge of the estate. It was in 1930 that Raoul, her son, joined her to accompany her in the management of the Richaud estate. At the time, production was really dedicated for the Cairanne cooperative cellar.
The story of the Richaud family continues with the arrival of Gaston. Becoming a winegrower was not his first professional choice, but following an inheritance of 15 hectares of vines (due to a marriage), he realizes that he must go to the vines. Gaston was not passionate about the vine, but he gave the passion to his son Marcel.
It was therefore in 1947 that Marcel Richaud took over 14 hectares of vines under lease, already in the family, by being advised by other winegrowers.
Marcel Richaud is more sensitive to the environment, more sensitive to making his own wine rather than giving the grapes to the cooperative. In the 90s, he then decided to lead the Richaud estate, in the Cairanne appellation, towards organic farming. He could only tend towards this future by being influenced by the big names in natural wine; Marcel Lapierre and Yann Rohel.
Revolutionary at heart, Marcel Richaud immediately imposed the direction to take. Today, he has more than 45 vintages to his credit, he invests in the Côtes du Rhône appellation, Cairanne is his territory. It is an institution.
His land acquisitions do not stop there. Marcel Richaud took over 15 hectares of vines in lease, and 4 hectares in ownership after the departure of Gaston Richaud, his father. Marcel Richaud sees big but sees with respect the cultivation of his vines, and the production of his wines.
Today, the Richaud estate represents 80 hectares of vines, 75 of which are spread over Cairanne and Rasteau.
Marcel Richaud was joined by his children, Claire and Thomas. A new generation that continues to develop and energize the Richaud estate towards a bright future.

The wines of the Richaud estate

Thanks to Marcel Lapierre and Yann Rohel, Marcel Richaud embarked on organic farming. The entire estate was certified in 2008.
On these many hectares of vines, Marcel uses about thirty for the production of his Cairanne bottles, and the rest for Rasteau.
Today, Marcel and Marie's children, Claire and Thomas, have taken up the torch since 2015 (the year Marie died), still in the same spirit. Produce yes, but with the greatest respect for the environment and the vines.
The wines are consistent, fine, precise and above all endowed with an incredible freshness despite the high levels of alcohol linked in particular to global warming. A must in the Rhône Valley if you still hesitate!
Marcel Richaud contributed to drawing up the specifications for the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Cairanne appellation. In this process, he succeeded in limiting the use of machinery, the addition of sulfur, and chemical weedkillers. That's what he applies himself on all of his land.
Marcel and his children therefore produce reds and whites, on the Cairanne and Rasteau's soils.
On the Côtes du Rhône appellation, there is the Terre d'Aigles bottle in 2020 and 2021, a blend of grape varieties that makes this bottle gourmet, with good length and complexity.
On the same appellation, there is the Terre de Galets 2020 bottle. Here it smells good of the southern sun (very well controlled), spices, with despite everything a lot of freshness. We will not miss the Cairanne appellation, with the emblematic main bottle of the appellation, L'ebrescade 2019 and 2020. This bottle is complete; power, fruity, freshness. A little patience so that it is based a little!
Last bottle for the Richaud estate, the Cairanne 2020 and 2021. Another great success for the family, which excels in this appellation. Young but already delicious, with a blend that leads to gluttony, with a well-built mouth.
If you don't know natural wine, if you don't know the Côtes du Rhône appellation, or Cairanne, this is THE winemaker to try! The unmissable of the Rhone Valley.