Ferraton

History of Ferraton Père et Fils

The history of Ferraton Père et Fils begins in 1946, when Jean Orëns Ferraton, passionate about the vine and driven by a profound knowledge of the Hermitage terroirs, acquired a first plot of only 0.3 hectares on the eponymous hill. This founding decision marked the beginning of a family and winemaking adventure that would continue to grow. His son Michel Ferraton took over in the late 1960s and embarked on an ambitious development of the vineyard, notably through significant investments on the Hermitage hill. The estate gradually built an international reputation through its single-vineyard selections and négociant cuvées.

In 1998, a painful event within the family led Michel Chapoutier, a longstanding friend, to offer his support to the Ferraton estate. This partnership marked a decisive turning point: from 1998 onwards, the entire vineyard was converted to certified organic viticulture, and then progressively to biodynamics. The Single-Vineyard Selections became the heart of the estate's identity, each expressing the singularity of a specific terroir. In 2004, the Chapoutier group acquired the estate while preserving its autonomy, identity and team. The Ferraton estate continues to produce its own wines under its own label, from its own winery in Tain-l'Hermitage, with its own vineyards and its own tasting cellar on Quai Arthur Rostaing.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Ferraton Père et Fils

The estate's own vineyards of Ferraton Père et Fils span 18 hectares, spread across the Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph appellations. All these plots are farmed biodynamically, forming the heart of the Single-Vineyard Selections that have built the estate's reputation. On the Hermitage hill, the granitic soils of the right bank of the Rhône produce Syrahs of unparalleled depth and longevity. The lieu-dit Le Méal, on terraces of rolled pebbles, is considered one of the finest terroirs of Hermitage for the most complex and gastronomic wines. In Crozes-Hermitage, the vines are planted at Mercurol and Beaumont-Monteux, east of Tain, on clay-limestone and alluvial soils. In Saint-Joseph, on the granitic and acidic foothills of the Massif Central, with a view over the Rhône, the Syrahs express an alpine elegance and purity.

For the négociant wines, Ferraton works with partner growers across appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Cornas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel, Saint-Péray and Côtes du Rhône, selecting grapes grown organically or biodynamically wherever possible. The estate's emblematic grape varieties are Syrah (northern reds), Marsanne and Roussanne (northern whites), Viognier (Condrieu), and the southern varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Clairette and Bourboulenc for the southern cuvées.

Winemaking at Ferraton Père et Fils

The winemaking philosophy of Ferraton Père et Fils is founded on precision and subtlety, in absolute respect for the terroirs. For the reds, the harvests are fully destemmed for the standard cuvées, with extractions by classic punching down and pumping over. Ageing takes place partly in French oak barrels for 12 to 16 months depending on the cuvée. For the great Single-Vineyard Selections of Hermitage such as Le Méal or Les Dionnières, fermentation and barrel ageing last 10 to 12 months. For the white Hermitages, fermentation takes place in barrel followed by ageing on lees in a combination of barrels and vats. The Côtes du Rhône Samorëns are crafted in a more accessible style, with vat ageing to preserve freshness and fruit.

The Cuvées of Ferraton Père et Fils

Hermitage Le Méal (Red): The flagship red cuvée of Hermitage and one of the most admired of the estate, sourced from the historic Le Méal terroir on terraces of rolled pebbles mixed with clay and limestone. 100% Syrah farmed biodynamically. Aged in oak barrels for 10 to 12 months. A Fine Wine of remarkable depth and power: intense aromas of blackcurrant, violet, smoky and spiced notes. Concentrated palate, silky tannins, very long finish. An internationally acclaimed Hermitage, capable of ageing 20 years and beyond.

Hermitage Les Dionnières (Red): Single-Vineyard Selection of Syrah farmed biodynamically on the lieu-dit Les Dionnières at Hermitage, on a terroir of rolled pebbles and clay. Barrel-aged. Aromas of dark berries and wild morello cherry, notes of olive oil. A classic and refined expression of Hermitage Syrah, slightly more approachable than Le Méal in its youth.

Hermitage Le Grand Courtil (Red): Single-Vineyard Selection of Syrah from a specific plot on the Hermitage hill. Red wine of great stature, with aromas of black fruits, spices and undergrowth. Fine ageing potential.

Hermitage Le Reverdy (White): White cuvée made from a blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne farmed biodynamically. Barrel fermentation, ageing on lees in 30% new oak barrels for 10 to 12 months. Great aromatic richness: white flowers, yellow-fleshed fruits, honey. Broad and taut palate, long and mineral finish. A great gastronomic Fine Wine.

Hermitage Les Oliviers (White): White Hermitage cuvée farmed biodynamically, made primarily from Marsanne. Broad and floral white wine, with aromas of white flowers, peach and almond, with a fresh and balanced structure. Evolves beautifully with around ten years of ageing.

Hermitage Les Miaux (Red and White): Cuvée available in red (Syrah) and white (Marsanne/Roussanne). A blend of diversified vats remaining true to the style of the estate. Remarkable consistency and an excellent expression of terroir, regularly selected by the specialist press.

Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière (Red): Signature red cuvée and "flagship" of the estate in Crozes-Hermitage. 100% Syrah from Mercurol and Beaumont-Monteux. Destemmed harvest, punching down and pumping over, partial ageing of 12 months in barrels. Supple and indulgent wine: blackcurrant, violet, ripe fruits, spices. The most accessible and most emblematic cuvée of the estate.

Crozes-Hermitage La Matinière (White): White cuvée made from Marsanne from the Mercurol vineyards. A crystalline and fruit-forward wine of superb balance: white flowers, citrus, white fruits, mineral finish. A Crozes-Hermitage white of great purity.

Crozes-Hermitage Le Parvis (Red): Red cuvée from Crozes-Hermitage in Syrah, in the direct and fruity style of the appellation. Aromas of red and black fruits, spices, supple and balanced palate.

Crozes-Hermitage Les Pichères (Red): Red cuvée regularly selected by the Guide Hachette des Vins. An expressive Crozes-Hermitage red, true to the character of the appellation, combining indulgence and depth.

Crozes-Hermitage Les Lauses (Rosé): Rosé cuvée from Crozes-Hermitage, light and fresh, ideal for aperitifs and summer meals.

Saint-Joseph La Source (Red): Red cuvée from Saint-Joseph made from Syrah on the granitic and acidic soils of the Massif Central. Red wine of alpine elegance: blackcurrant, violet, granitic minerality. Produced on steep terraces with entirely manual work. One of the most refined cuvées of the estate.

Saint-Joseph La Source (White): White cuvée from Saint-Joseph in Marsanne/Roussanne on granitic soils. Dry white wine with floral and fruity aromas, a fresh and mineral palate. One of the rare quality white expressions of the appellation.

Saint-Joseph Les Grands Mûriers (Red): Single-Vineyard Selection of Syrah on the granitic terraces of Saint-Joseph. Red wine of fine structure and aromatic depth: black fruits, spices, liquorice.

Saint-Joseph L'Églantine (Red): Expressive and fruity red cuvée from Saint-Joseph, in a more accessible and immediate style. Ideal as an introduction to the appellation.

Condrieu Les Mandouls (White): White cuvée from Condrieu made from Viognier on the granitic hillsides of the appellation. White wine of incomparable aromatic richness: flowers (violet, acacia, rose), apricot, white peach. Broad and opulent palate, long and suave finish. The ultimate expression of Viognier in the northern Rhône.

Cornas Patou (Red): Red cuvée from Cornas made from Syrah on the granitic soils of this exclusive appellation. Powerful and dense red wine: concentrated black fruits, pepper, liquorice. Firm tannins that blend magnificently after a few years of ageing.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Jean Orëns (Red): Red cuvée bearing the name of the estate's founder, a Grenache-dominant blend sourced from the rolled-pebble terroirs of Châteauneuf. Powerful and complex red wine: candied red fruits, garrigue, spices, cloves. The most southern cuvée of the estate.

Côtes du Rhône Samorëns (White, Red and Rosé): A range of Côtes du Rhône in three colours in an accessible and fruity style. The Samorëns white is made from Marsanne from Mercurol: floral, fresh, non-oxidative. The Samorëns red is a southern blend (Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah), indulgent and spiced. The Samorëns rosé completes the range with freshness and lightness. Three everyday wines reflecting the expertise of the estate across the Rhône terroirs.

Gigondas, Tavel, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Saint-Péray, Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun, Plan de Dieu, Montmain: The Ferraton Père et Fils estate rounds out its range with cuvées from other Rhône appellations. Gigondas for powerful southern reds based on Grenache. Tavel for the renowned gastronomic rosés from the right bank of the Rhône. Côtes du Rhône Villages in several cuvées (Plan de Dieu, Montmain, Laudun). Saint-Péray for a dry or sparkling white made from Marsanne. Each cuvée faithfully expresses the character of its appellation.