Domaine du Père Pape

Vignobles Mayard is an outstanding property in the Rhône’s most renowned appellation, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. On our last trip to her family winery, Françoise Mayard told us how Vignobles Mayard may never have existed, were it not for her great-grandfather’s love for his ancestral vineyards.

Following the phylloxera epidemic that decimated the French wine industry in the late 1800s, many vignerons emigrated to the New World. Gratien Mayard, Françoise’s great-grandfather, was set to follow them. Gratien was about to step onto a US-bound ship in 1923 when he finally succumbed to the pull of his home and stayed to work the land. He painstakingly replanted the vineyards, vine by vine, and began making wine under the new Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation.

The history of Vignobles Mayard perhaps explains the decision to rid of chemicals in the vineyards and to use more environmentally friendly, labour-intensive methods. Careful attention is paid to the vines throughout the year with de-budding and green harvesting essential. Respect is paid to the different climates throughout Châteauneuf-du-Pape with each of their 40 parcels of land vinified separately. 

Today Françoise maintains her family’s reputation for hard work and excellent wine, always bearing in mind the sacrifice of previous generations. 

*Biodynamic certified and Organic methods.