Boutinot’s love affair with the Southern Rhône spans thirty years of making wine in the region. In 2010, the relationship was sealed with the purchase of a winery and vineyards above the village of Cairanne. Domaine Boutinot’s seven vineyards are planted with classic southern Rhône grape varieties – old vine Grenache Noir and Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan Noir – and they all sit within the Cairanne Cru boundaries, sanctioned in 2016 when Cairanne was granted its own appellation status.

Working with our vigneron neighbours we are helping to revive traditional grape varieties such as Cinsault and Counoise, and in the cellar we prefer time-honoured winemaking methods such as a long cuvasion aided only by natural yeasts, gentle remontage, manual pigeage and patient maturation in a nursery of French oak barrels.

Séguret, one of the named Côtes du Rhône Villages, lies at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, where terraced vineyards climb from c.140 to 350 metres. The setting delivers a distinctly Mediterranean climate tempered by altitude and the cleansing Mistral, which sharpens diurnal range, keeps disease pressure low and locks in freshness. Soils shift from clay-limestone marls on the lower main terrace to sandy parcels around the village and stony, fast-draining terraces higher up—each belt contributing concentration, finesse or lift to the final wines.

Reds dominate and are typically Grenache-led, supported by Syrah and Mourvèdre; small volumes of rosé and white are also made. Whites draw on Roussanne and Marsanne alongside Clairette, Bourboulenc, Viognier and Grenache Blanc. The area’s mix of exposures and the Dentelles’ limestone influence add a cool-edge precision to otherwise sun-blessed fruit.

In the glass, Séguret reds are deeply coloured and structured yet increasingly refined, marrying black fruit and spice with notes that can trend towards mocha or liquorice; tannins are firm in youth but polish nicely with a few years in bottle. Rosés are pale and vividly fresh, typically scented with red berries. Whites tend to be floral and stone-fruited, often showing a rounded palate balanced by the appellation’s natural acidity. Taken together, the village offers classically southern Rhône richness delivered with hillside poise—wines that pair as well with slow-cooked dishes as with simply grilled meats and Provençal fare.

Grenache, known as Garnacha in Spain, is one of the world’s most widely planted and versatile red grape varieties. Believed to have originated in Aragon, northeastern Spain, it spread across the Mediterranean and is now integral to many of the world’s great wine regions. It thrives in hot, dry climates and is particularly drought-resistant, with late-ripening characteristics that require long growing seasons.

Viticulturally, Grenache is vigorous and productive, often grown as bush vines to control yield and improve concentration. It prefers well-drained soils like schist, gravel, and sand, contributing to its rich texture and ripeness.

In Spain, Garnacha is prominent in regions such as Priorat, Rioja (often blended), and Aragón, producing wines with ripe red fruit, spice, and earthy notes. In France, Grenache is the backbone of Southern Rhône blends (e.g. Châteauneuf-du-Pape), offering warmth, red berry fruit, and herbal nuances. It is also widely planted in Australia (notably in McLaren Vale), the U.S. (especially California), and South Africa.

Grenache produces a range of styles—from fresh, fruity rosés to powerful reds and fortified wines. Typical flavours include strawberry, raspberry, white pepper, dried herbs, and sometimes leather and liquorice with age. Its soft tannins and plush texture make it both approachable and age-worthy.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.