Saint-Péray

The appellation area is located south of the Northern Côtes du Rhône, on the right bank of the Rhône, within the municipality of Saint-Péray and a district of the municipality of Toulaud, in the Ardèche department. There is evidence of vineyards in Saint-Péray dating back to the Early Middle Ages. After the Dauphiné region was incorporated into France, the vineyards were finally able to develop thanks to the growth of river transport on the Rhône. Saint-Péray and Saint-Péray Mousseux were designated as local AOCs in 1936.

The Saint-Péray AOC benefits from two distinct terroirs: the granite-rich slopes of Cornas extend into the commune of Saint-Péray all the way to the Biguet district in Toulaud. This hillside is separated from a limestone massif—dominated by the ruins of Crussol Castle—by the Mialan Valley. The rugged hillsides and deep valley create a slightly cooler microclimate within a warmer continental region.

Saint-Péray wines are white, dry, and aromatic, always displaying great finesse and elegance. For both still and sparkling wines, the grape varieties consist of Marsanne and Roussanne. Sparkling wines are produced through a second fermentation in the bottle using the Champagne method. Still wines are vinified after a short pressing and fermentation, partly in new oak barrels and partly in stainless steel tanks. Notable within this appellation are the quality of the work at Domaine Alain Voge and the renowned M. Chapoutier.