Château Saint Cyrgues is located in the Costières de Nîmes appellation, in the Gard department just south of Nîmes, facing the Petite Camargue and with a Mediterranean influence. The domaine is run by Jean‑Pierre and Loïc Ferraud and founded on the ruins of the priory of Saint-Cirice. The estate covers 60 hectares, which are farmed organically and the vineyards sit on clay-limestone soils mixed with rolling pebbles, giving their wines a distinctive Southern Rhône character.

The Rhône Valley, stretching from Lyon to the Mediterranean, is one of France’s most diverse and historic wine regions. Divided into the Northern and Southern Rhône, it offers a wide range of climates, soils, and wine styles.

The Northern Rhône has a continental climate with steep, terraced vineyards on granite and schist soils. This area is renowned for Syrah, the only permitted red grape, producing deeply coloured, age-worthy wines with flavours of blackberry, black pepper, olives, and smoke. Notable appellations include Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Cornas. Whites here, made from Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne, are rich, floral, and full-bodied. The best example is Condrieu.

The Southern Rhône enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and a variety of soils, including limestone, sand, and the famous galets roulés (rounded stones). Blends dominate here, with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre forming the backbone of reds that are generous, spicy, and fruit-forward. Côtes du Rhône is the largest AOC, known for easy-drinking, fruity styles. Flagship appellations include Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras, producing rich and powerful wines.

Roussanne is a high-quality white grape variety native to France’s Rhône Valley, where it is a key component of both northern and southern Rhône white blends. It is most famously found in appellations such as Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, often blended with Marsanne or Grenache Blanc to create wines of depth and elegance. Outside France, Roussanne is also planted in California, Washington State, Australia, and parts of Italy.

Roussanne is prized for its distinctive aromatic profile and its ability to produce complex, age-worthy wines. It typically offers aromas of pear, peach, and honey, complemented by floral notes such as acacia and herbal hints like chamomile or fennel. As it ages, it develops nutty, toasty, and lanolin-like characteristics, gaining richness and complexity. On the palate, it is often medium- to full-bodied, with a silky texture and balanced acidity.

Viticulturally, Roussanne is notoriously challenging to grow. It is late-ripening, susceptible to mildew and rot, and sensitive to wind and drought. Its low yields and tendency to oxidise require careful vineyard and cellar management. Despite these challenges, Roussanne’s elegance and distinctive character make it one of the Rhône’s most prestigious and sought-after white grape varieties.

Grenache Blanc is the white-skinned variant of the red Grenache (Garnacha) grape and is believed to have originated in northeastern Spain. Today, it is widely planted in southern France, particularly in the Languedoc and southern Rhône Valley, and is also grown in Spain (as Garnacha Blanca), South Africa, California, and increasingly in Australia.

This variety thrives in warm, dry climates and is often used in blends, particularly in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône wines, where it adds body, texture, and freshness. It is frequently blended with Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, but varietal expressions are also growing in popularity.

Grenache Blanc typically produces medium- to full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and a generous texture. Aromas often include green apple, pear, citrus peel, and stone fruits, along with herbal or floral notes such as fennel, white flowers, and occasionally a hint of saline minerality. With age or oak influence, it can develop richer, honeyed and nutty characteristics.

Viticulturally, Grenache Blanc is drought-tolerant and productive, making it well-suited to hot, arid environments. However, it can be prone to oxidation if not handled carefully in the cellar. Maintaining freshness and balance is key, especially in warmer climates where acidity may drop quickly as ripeness advances.

Viognier is a distinctive white grape variety known for its aromatic intensity and rich, full-bodied wines. Originally from the northern Rhône Valley in France, particularly the appellations of Condrieu and Château-Grillet, Viognier has gained international recognition for its unique floral and stone fruit character.

Viticulturally, Viognier can be challenging to grow. It’s prone to low yields, sensitive to mildew, and requires careful vineyard management to balance ripeness and retain acidity. It thrives in warm, sunny climates where it can fully develop its aromatics without becoming overly alcoholic or flabby.

Today, Viognier is planted in several key wine regions around the world, including the Languedoc in southern France, California’s Central Coast, Virginia and Washington State in the USA, South Australia, South Africa, and parts of Chile and Argentina. It’s often made as a varietal wine but is also blended—famously with Syrah in Côte-Rôtie to enhance aroma and texture.

Viognier typically produces lush, aromatic wines with low to moderate acidity and high alcohol. Common flavours include apricot, peach, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and sometimes exotic spices. Styles range from unoaked and fresh to rich, barrel-aged versions with creamy texture. Viognier is a compelling choice for lovers of expressive, aromatic whites.

Roussanne is a high-quality white grape variety native to France’s Rhône Valley, where it is a key component of both northern and southern Rhône white blends. It is most famously found in appellations such as Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, often blended with Marsanne or Grenache Blanc to create wines of depth and elegance. Outside France, Roussanne is also planted in California, Washington State, Australia, and parts of Italy.

Roussanne is prized for its distinctive aromatic profile and its ability to produce complex, age-worthy wines. It typically offers aromas of pear, peach, and honey, complemented by floral notes such as acacia and herbal hints like chamomile or fennel. As it ages, it develops nutty, toasty, and lanolin-like characteristics, gaining richness and complexity. On the palate, it is often medium- to full-bodied, with a silky texture and balanced acidity.

Viticulturally, Roussanne is notoriously challenging to grow. It is late-ripening, susceptible to mildew and rot, and sensitive to wind and drought. Its low yields and tendency to oxidise require careful vineyard and cellar management. Despite these challenges, Roussanne’s elegance and distinctive character make it one of the Rhône’s most prestigious and sought-after white grape varieties.

Grenache Blanc is the white-skinned variant of the red Grenache (Garnacha) grape and is believed to have originated in northeastern Spain. Today, it is widely planted in southern France, particularly in the Languedoc and southern Rhône Valley, and is also grown in Spain (as Garnacha Blanca), South Africa, California, and increasingly in Australia.

This variety thrives in warm, dry climates and is often used in blends, particularly in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône wines, where it adds body, texture, and freshness. It is frequently blended with Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, but varietal expressions are also growing in popularity.

Grenache Blanc typically produces medium- to full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and a generous texture. Aromas often include green apple, pear, citrus peel, and stone fruits, along with herbal or floral notes such as fennel, white flowers, and occasionally a hint of saline minerality. With age or oak influence, it can develop richer, honeyed and nutty characteristics.

Viticulturally, Grenache Blanc is drought-tolerant and productive, making it well-suited to hot, arid environments. However, it can be prone to oxidation if not handled carefully in the cellar. Maintaining freshness and balance is key, especially in warmer climates where acidity may drop quickly as ripeness advances.

Viognier is a distinctive white grape variety known for its aromatic intensity and rich, full-bodied wines. Originally from the northern Rhône Valley in France, particularly the appellations of Condrieu and Château-Grillet, Viognier has gained international recognition for its unique floral and stone fruit character.

Viticulturally, Viognier can be challenging to grow. It’s prone to low yields, sensitive to mildew, and requires careful vineyard management to balance ripeness and retain acidity. It thrives in warm, sunny climates where it can fully develop its aromatics without becoming overly alcoholic or flabby.

Today, Viognier is planted in several key wine regions around the world, including the Languedoc in southern France, California’s Central Coast, Virginia and Washington State in the USA, South Australia, South Africa, and parts of Chile and Argentina. It’s often made as a varietal wine but is also blended—famously with Syrah in Côte-Rôtie to enhance aroma and texture.

Viognier typically produces lush, aromatic wines with low to moderate acidity and high alcohol. Common flavours include apricot, peach, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and sometimes exotic spices. Styles range from unoaked and fresh to rich, barrel-aged versions with creamy texture. Viognier is a compelling choice for lovers of expressive, aromatic whites.

Roussanne is a high-quality white grape variety native to France’s Rhône Valley, where it is a key component of both northern and southern Rhône white blends. It is most famously found in appellations such as Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, often blended with Marsanne or Grenache Blanc to create wines of depth and elegance. Outside France, Roussanne is also planted in California, Washington State, Australia, and parts of Italy.

Roussanne is prized for its distinctive aromatic profile and its ability to produce complex, age-worthy wines. It typically offers aromas of pear, peach, and honey, complemented by floral notes such as acacia and herbal hints like chamomile or fennel. As it ages, it develops nutty, toasty, and lanolin-like characteristics, gaining richness and complexity. On the palate, it is often medium- to full-bodied, with a silky texture and balanced acidity.

Viticulturally, Roussanne is notoriously challenging to grow. It is late-ripening, susceptible to mildew and rot, and sensitive to wind and drought. Its low yields and tendency to oxidise require careful vineyard and cellar management. Despite these challenges, Roussanne’s elegance and distinctive character make it one of the Rhône’s most prestigious and sought-after white grape varieties.

Grenache Blanc is the white-skinned variant of the red Grenache (Garnacha) grape and is believed to have originated in northeastern Spain. Today, it is widely planted in southern France, particularly in the Languedoc and southern Rhône Valley, and is also grown in Spain (as Garnacha Blanca), South Africa, California, and increasingly in Australia.

This variety thrives in warm, dry climates and is often used in blends, particularly in white Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône wines, where it adds body, texture, and freshness. It is frequently blended with Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, but varietal expressions are also growing in popularity.

Grenache Blanc typically produces medium- to full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and a generous texture. Aromas often include green apple, pear, citrus peel, and stone fruits, along with herbal or floral notes such as fennel, white flowers, and occasionally a hint of saline minerality. With age or oak influence, it can develop richer, honeyed and nutty characteristics.

Viticulturally, Grenache Blanc is drought-tolerant and productive, making it well-suited to hot, arid environments. However, it can be prone to oxidation if not handled carefully in the cellar. Maintaining freshness and balance is key, especially in warmer climates where acidity may drop quickly as ripeness advances.

Viognier is a distinctive white grape variety known for its aromatic intensity and rich, full-bodied wines. Originally from the northern Rhône Valley in France, particularly the appellations of Condrieu and Château-Grillet, Viognier has gained international recognition for its unique floral and stone fruit character.

Viticulturally, Viognier can be challenging to grow. It’s prone to low yields, sensitive to mildew, and requires careful vineyard management to balance ripeness and retain acidity. It thrives in warm, sunny climates where it can fully develop its aromatics without becoming overly alcoholic or flabby.

Today, Viognier is planted in several key wine regions around the world, including the Languedoc in southern France, California’s Central Coast, Virginia and Washington State in the USA, South Australia, South Africa, and parts of Chile and Argentina. It’s often made as a varietal wine but is also blended—famously with Syrah in Côte-Rôtie to enhance aroma and texture.

Viognier typically produces lush, aromatic wines with low to moderate acidity and high alcohol. Common flavours include apricot, peach, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and sometimes exotic spices. Styles range from unoaked and fresh to rich, barrel-aged versions with creamy texture. Viognier is a compelling choice for lovers of expressive, aromatic whites.