Domaine La Grange des Pères

This meteoric rise began in 1992. Having been in the region since 1963, Laurent Vallié took over the family estate in 1992 after gaining valuable experience working with leading winemakers such as Eloi Dürrbach at Domaine de Trevallon, Jean-Louis Chave in Cornas, and Jean-François Coche-Dury in Burgundy. Under his leadership, the family estate expanded to 11 hectares on the finest terroirs; decisions in the vineyard and cellar follow the principles of biodynamics: chemical-free soil management, plot-by-plot vinification, and extended barrel aging (24 months). Success was evident from the very first vintage, and Laurent Vallié’s talent was recognized immediately. The destiny of La Grange des Pères is clearly mapped out! The greatest concern for serious wine enthusiasts today is being able to unearth these exceptional bottles, which have risen to the same level as a Romanée-Conti or Pétrus. 

Situated on an exceptional high-altitude terroir in the Arboussas mountain range, the vineyards of La Grange des Pères are planted with Syrah and Mourvèdre, supplemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Counoise for the red wines; and Roussanne, Marsanne, Chardonnay, and Gros Manseng for the white wines. Under the IGP Pays de l'Hérault appellation, Laurent Vallié's wines contribute to the region's reputation, where great estates such as Le Mas Daumas Gassac and La Terrasse d'Elise have successfully revealed the potential of this terroir.

The Domaine de la Grange des Pères was founded over thirty years ago when Laurent Vallié took over his father’s farm. This property, located in Aniane in the Hérault region, underwent a complete transformation: instead of growing grains as his father had done, Laurent began cultivating grapevines. The Domaine de la Grange des Pères was born. This new owner of the winery would prove to be a prodigy of oenology, as his first vintage of red wine was awarded a score by Robert Parker. But today, Laurent Vallié still works alongside his father.

The Les Pères Rouges estate wine is a skillfully blended blend of five grape varieties: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Counoise, and Petit Verdot. This blend delivers full-bodied flavors on the palate, including notes of the sea, olives, grilled meat, and ripe, spicy fruit.

In the white version of Les Pères’ estate wine, Roussanne and Marsanne are blended with Gros Manseng and Chardonnay. While it retains the spicy notes of the red version, the white version is sweeter, with hints of honey, very ripe yellow fruit, and sometimes currants. On the palate, the wax-like richness is evident.

Like all wines, given the unpredictable nature of the weather, the vintages from La Grange des Pères follow one another but are never quite the same. To enjoy a fine bottle from this estate while staying within a reasonable budget (the 1992 vintage sells for a fortune), the 1998 and 2009 vintages offer an excellent tasting experience. But if you’re looking for an exceptional experience, the 2014 vintage is the ideal choice.

La Grange des Pères red wine pairs perfectly with hearty dishes. It goes just as well with a ribeye steak as it does with a leg of venison in porcini mushroom sauce. It can also be served with seafood or poultry, such as duck.

A bottle of the white"Domaine de la Grange des Pères" wine, on the other hand, pairs perfectly with seafood, including both fish and shellfish. How about some sea bream? Or a scorpionfish?