Oratoire Saint Martin

Domaine de l’Oratoire Saint-Martin is an historical vineyard in Cairanne of 25 hectares, farmed according to organic and biodynamic standards. Cultivated for ten generations by the Alary family, the estate has reached iconic status in the region largely thanks to the work of brothers Frédéric and François Alary who took over the running of the estate in 1984. In the summer of 2020, the Alary family finally had to relinquish the property and, looking to ensure the continuity of this great Southern Rhône estate, chose Château Mont-Redon as their preferred buyer. Pierre Fabre of Mont-Redon is committed to the same farming and production principles that have given these wines cult status. With its steep slopes of yellow and blue clay soils (with a high active limestone percentage) this north-eastern part of Cairanne can truly be considered one of the Southern Rhône’s stand out regions. Vines are de-budded and pruned short, vineyards are grown organically and biodynamically and harvesting is by hand. Yields are inevitably low. Vineyards are old and consist of Grenache and a notably high proportion of Mourvèdre, unusual for the appellation, with Syrah making up the numbers. Vines are replanted using massale selections. In the winery fermentations are carried out naturally in large open top wooden fermenters and ageing is carried out for 18 months in neutral used oak hogsheads and tonneaux. Bottling is without fining or filtration so the wines can throw a deposit. From bud to bottle, every step of this wine-growing process is designed to highlight the outstanding terror of this part of the Rhône. These wines have a real sense of place. They are alive, clear, and drinkable. They age famously well, too.